Questions and answers for eLearning implementation

Pablo A. Piquemilh- Implementation Management at Aura Interactiva 

After more than 10 years working in the LMS implementation and strategy areas of the eLearning industry, I’ve come across experiences and teachings that I would like to share with you.

Up next you’ll find some of the most common situations that occur in the workplace and my personal opinion towards each of them: 

First Case: “This LMS will not be compliant with my company or this system will not fit my needs.” 

There aren’t any learning management systems tailored specifically to fit a company’s needs; nonetheless there are several LMSs in the market that have particular characteristics which you can select according to what your company is looking for.

In order to know if each LMS is the right one for your company you will need to look over three main elements:

1. A training or career plan.  

2. The content or information to develop it.

3. The logistics to run it. 

That’s why, before you even consider selecting an LMS you need to define an eLearning strategy that involves the three main principles of a structured training plan.

Doing so will let you select the LMS platform that will adapt to your organization. 

Second Case: “I need an LMS that will allow me to hand out certificates, manage competences and/or execute a training or career plan.”

When it comes to need that has to be addresses in this case, the first question that you need to ask yourself is if you’ve defined which courses will be included in the certification, which will be the abilities needed in each of the competences and if there’s already a structured training plan.

Almost 90% of the time the answered received to those questions is negative… therefore it’s important to ask yourself: why do you need these features in your LMS if you haven’t established the bases for it?

Just like there isn’t a way to ensure that there’s a specific LMS for your organization without having an eLearning strategy, to purchase the solution that’s right for your company it is necessary to define the training plan and develop the content for it.

Doing so will ensure a successful eLearning experience and it will let you appropriately cannel resources, time and Money accordingly. 

If you analyze both cases, you will come across that in many occasions we focus on the tools themselves and not on the solution. This is due to the fact that we seek a tool provider instead of a consultant which will let us know where to begin taking into account our real needs. 

If you’re looking to succeed in eLearning development, I would advise you to focus your attention on the advisor, which will allow you to structure your training plan, develop your eLearning content effectively and manage the training logistics taking into account your company’s growth and also accompanying you each step of the way.

If you are wondering where to begin and who will give you this advice, contact a SHIFT expert!