Do mistakes make you wise? Ideally, yes. However, taking this path of learning via the detour of failure is a pure waste of time and money. The following article shows you how to make the right decisions in case of doubt when introducing new e-learning software in your company. The danger of choosing an unsuitable LMS, which you then have to live with for a while, is too great…

Content

• Point One: Clarify what you want to achieve with the introduction of e-learning software and which operational challenges the LMS is supposed to solve
• Point Two: Clarify what your e-learning software is allowed to cost
• Point Three: Test the new software thoroughly and compare
• Point Four: Make sure that the e-learning software can grow with your requirements

Point One: Clarify what you want to achieve with the introduction of e-learning software and which operational challenges the LMS is supposed to solve.

If it is going to be your first e-learning software, you should first focus on the learning objectives your new Learning Management System pursues and which concrete internal problems it is meant to solve. Instead of starting with the point of how an LMS solves your problems, you must first know exactly what these challenges are.

When you buy a new vehicle, its paint job is not the first and most important criterion. Rather, you first consider what the vehicle should achieve or who or what it should transport where. It is similar with e-learning software. Determine the needs of your users and base your decisions on real user cases! These play an especially important role in the choice of the new software: what should be learned, who should learn, and within what timeframe and framework?

If your users, for example, should or want to learn as self-directed and self-motivated as possible, an LXP might also be interesting.

However, the core question is always: What is your entrepreneurial goal and why do you want to achieve it? This way, you get a little closer to the requirements for the new e-learning software.

Point Two: Clarify what your e-learning software is allowed to cost.

Have you seen a fancy tool or a technically exciting functionality that impressed you and now you want to work with it too? Clarify point one first. It is quite possible that you cannot successfully deploy these special wishes at all.

But definitely also clarify point two: what is on the price tag? Do these wishes fit into your budget? Once you are clear about what you can or want to invest in a learning platform, many a special whim will resolve itself.

However, it can also happen that "cheap" turns out to be "expensive" in the end. For example, because the service aspect was underestimated. It is often worth booking the service (Software-as-a-Service) if you cannot provide capacities for it in-house. A custom-made, individual software solution, on the other hand, is definitely the most expensive option.

Point Three: Test the new software thoroughly and compare.

Take advantage of the software provider's offer and test the e-learning software as thoroughly as possible. Only in this way can the weaknesses or strengths of a specific LMS software be determined individually. Do not put yourself under unnecessary time pressure here. Compare different systems with each other and weigh pros and cons against each other.

An online demo, as offered by most software manufacturers, is not enough to be able to make a well-founded decision. Also, do not test alone, but let the colleagues who will use the LMS test it as well to get a feel for what it is like to work with it. Keyword usability: Good, user-friendly e-learning software can save a lot of time and nerves later under certain circumstances.

Point Four: Make sure that the e-learning software can grow with your requirements.

Good e-learning software is constantly developing. But you as a customer should also have the possibility to react to new technology trends with adjustment requests if they should actually turn out to be profitable for your learners or for your company. Adaptability is required here.

Also ask yourself the question of how strong the "once a customer – always a customer" effect of the provider of your choice is. Especially in the tech market, one often runs the risk of unintentionally tying oneself to a specific system because a switch eventually seems impossible – see iOS vs. Android. So, stay as flexible as possible!

• Also read our article on how to involve your works council in good time when introducing e-learning.

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  Your keeunit team from Mainz