Does Your Learning Management System Need an Upgrade?

If you’ve had the same Learning Management System (LMS) for years, then maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your needs. For all you know, you may have grown complacent about it. You could be so comfortable using it that you have learned to overlook the flaws that may have crept in. Therefore, you should step out of your comfort zone and look at your LMS objectively. A good LMS needs to be intuitive and customizable. It should make life easy for you and your learners. Never compromise on your corporate learning strategy.

Here are five signs that your LMS needs to be upgraded. If your LMS meets any of these criteria, then it is time to consider improving it!

#1: It is not being used.

There could be several reasons why no one wants to use your online training system. Maybe your employees do not like the platform. Or, perhaps the interface is not user-friendly, or not compatible with mobile devices. Whatever the reason is, if the end result is that your employees are not using the LMS, then you need to think of upgrading it. But how can you be sure that the learners do not like the LMS? You may consider sending them an online survey. It’s a great way to find out why they do not like the system, as well as the features they want in their LMS.

#2: It cannot be customized.

Web-based training works best when it can be customized. Your LMS should give you the option to do so. Each one of your employees is different. They should not be served one-size-fits-all courses. If you want the learners to benefit from the online training courses, you must give them what they find relevant. Your LMS needs to support personalization. Learners should be able to find content that is relevant to their job role and needs. Otherwise, they will just ignore the overwhelming amount of training you push out to them.

#3: It is used as an online archive.

Your LMS should be much more than an online archive for your learners. It should allow your learners to interact with each other and share opinions. Social collaboration can go a long way in enhancing the overall productivity of an organization. If your LMS does not allow them to collaborate, they will choose a different platform. The LMS should also allow you to obtain reports about the learner activity. It should be much more than an online filing system.

#4: It is not mobile friendly.

Everyone has a smartphone in their pocket. Your workforce, especially the millennials, wants to access everything on a mobile device. They do not have the time to get tied down to a desktop. So, your LMS needs to be optimized for mobile usage if you want it to be successful.

#5: It does not provide relevant support.

Your LMS provider should provide robust service. A good LMS service provider should have dedicated support personnel, along with ongoing telephone and email support. Learners or administrators should not be required to wait for days after they submit a question or raise an issue ticket.

Once you make the final decision of upgrading your LMS, follow the following 3 steps.

Step 1: Define your requirement as clearly as possible. You need to be absolutely sure about the business objective you want to fulfill. Make sure you list out the reasons why you want to upgrade your system and the features you desire. That way, you can create a shortlist of the LMS that is most suitable for you.

Step 2: Now that you know what features you are looking for, make a list of all the LMS’s that fulfill your needs. You may have the option to upgrade to a newer or more robust version of your existing LMS, rather than investing in a new one. See if that is a feasible solution for your organization.

Step 3: Create a comparison chart of the benefits, costs, and risks associated with each option. Choose the option that is the most advantageous for you.

You need to keep in mind that the LMS renovation is not just upgrading the technical aspect, but it should also be an improvement in terms of user interface. It is a good idea to check with the vendor if the LMS fulfills your wish list. You may want to ask for demonstrations and testimonials from their current clients. Also, avoid settling on the first LMS you come across. Check out several options and select the one that best suits your needs and budget.

We create custom eLearning designed specifically for your training objectives, and our programmers certify it meets the technical specifications of your LMS. Our courses ensure strong retention of information and provide innovative ways to change learner behaviors. Each learning ecosystem developed by Designing Digitally is tailored to the customer’s eLearning specifications and needs.

Get in touch with our experts to learn more today.