Type A Learning Agency

The secret to a successful LMS implementation
by Josh Gormley

Learning management systems, or LMSs, have been a big buzz in the e-Learning business for some time now. And why not? They bring a tremendous benefit to any company that utilizes web based training, offering a centralized interface for launching and tracking learning applications. In other words, they simplify everything about managing training applications.

If LMSs are so great, then why do they fail?

To answer this question, it’s important to understand that an LMS is simply an infrastructure for training applications. Its power lies in bringing into one interface all of the functionality needed to manage, launch, and track training applications. Therein lies the secret to a successful LMS: every training application must be added to the LMS and kept within the structure of the LMS.

LMS implementations often go awry because companies don't put enough emphasis on incorporating every training application into the LMS. Exceptions are made for particular courses that don't fit the structure of the LMS and these courses end up not being implemented in the LMS. And once we cross this line, we compromise the sole purpose and benefit of an LMS.

Furthermore, selecting and implementing an LMS in a company that already has training applications in place is not an easy task. A majority of its existing courses are probably not standards-compliant, and even if they are, they might not seamlessly integrate into a standards-compliant LMS.

How can you insure the success of your LMS?

If you're in the process of selecting an LMS, it’s important to take inventory of current and future courses. If your company already has training applications, you’ll want to find an LMS that can implement these as well as newer, standards compliant courses. When developing and purchasing new courses, you must test early and test often that the new courses will fit within the structure of your LMS.

While it can be difficult to overcome these obstacles and all too tempting to make exceptions when implementing an LMS, remember to stay the course. Soon enough, you’ll discover that the true value of an LMS is in the cost savings of having to maintain only one infrastructure. All you have to do is to remember to apply the secret we shared here: consistently add training applications to the LMS, keep within its structure, and LMS glory will be yours!