Part I – How to choose the right learning management
software
By: SoftControl.Net, Ltd.
29 December 2014
A large majority of IT projects fail
There are hundreds of studies analyzing the successes and failures of IT projects, and nearly all of them
show that the vast majority of projects will not meet their objectives and cannot be considered
successful. What’s more, the reasons for these failures are also remarkably familiar, have not changed
over the last decades and cover the usual suspects: insufficient analysis, planning and stakeholder
involvement and communication as well as an inability to bridge the gap between business- , user- and
technical requirements all contribute to poor technical and business performance of IT projects.
Advice and guidance on how to manage IT projects to successful outcomes can be found in many places,
and support from experienced and trusted IT partners should be sought for complex projects or when
internal expertise is not at hand.
Selecting and implementing the right Learning & Knowledge Management software contains some
unique aspects and criteria - in this paper we will look at the most important of these factors.
What you should NOT do when choosing & implementing your Learning &
Knowledge Management software
To preempt the many common mistakes organizations make when selecting and implementing Learning
Management Software (LMS), here are a few tips on what to avoid:
Don’t consider LMS as an ‘IT Systems Purchase’: Many organizations look primarily at the
technical IT specifications and requirements when selecting the software. While technical criteria
are certainly an important factor, this can be a dangerous distraction from the main reason to
introduce such a system…which is to make the right learning and knowledge easily available at
the right time, and independent of the knowledge that comes and goes with people. As an
organization, you don’t need to be particularly IT savvy, but you need to be exceptionally clear
about your learning and performance outcomes.
Don’t delegate ‘digging deeper’ to an unqualified person or to the IT department: For the same
reasons explained above, the task to work out the exact requirements of the system should not
left to someone insufficiently qualified for this task, or to an IT person whose focus and expertise
is only technical. Instead, select someone who has the skills, relationship and imagination to map
out the learning & knowledge requirements for LMS functionality.
Don’t sign an order before a “full trial access”: Any system considered for purchase should be
tested rigorously, technically, functionally, and from a holistic integration, stakeholder and enduser
point of view. This is possible only with a so-called ‘full trial access’, where you the customer
are given access to a fully functional trial version of the product. Most vendors will allow you such
access, for a pre-defined period or with some other time-bound element. Such a trial period
needs be used to test the system systematically and rigorously. Naturally you won’t be able to
trial each and every potential aspect but it will give bring you a whole lot closer to a realistic view
on the tools potential and match to your requirements, and will serve to compare tools to each
other.
Do not leave the planning & thinking to the vendor: often organizations assume that that the
vendor will take care of every possible need or eventuality. Certainly the vendor should be
experienced enough with the product to answer important questions honestly and critically, but
not all vendors have the in-depth experience or the interest to help you maximize the success if
your LMS decision. They also do not know the unique ins and outs of your business and
processes. So the task of scoping and describing your requirements as detailed as possible, to IT Peace of Mind
identify the required customizations, work-arounds or LMS limitations is by and
large up to you, the customer. Ideally this task must be completed before the vendor gets
involved, so that the two parties can have some healthy conversations about your requirements
and about the capability of the software. By being prepared and by sharing your well-defined
requirements this way you will maximize the opportunity for making the vendor a more capable
and supportive partner in this undertaking.
What you SHOULD do
There are a few critical actions an organization must take and questions to answer before choosing the
right LMS.
Take stock of your current & future needs: What are the managerial and leadership goals for the
Learning Management System? How many employees will use, benefit or be affected by the
system, now and in the future? To what extent will trainings and classes be conducted online or
in a classroom format?
Research both the system AND the vendor first: What is the vendor’s reputation? Are they
successful with offering this and other systems? Are the willing and experienced to customize
your system and in what ways? Can the vendor estimate how long it will take to build the system,
make it available to users and go live with it? How easy is the data transfer to the system? And
don’t forget to walk through the ‘standard user experience’ with guidance from the vendor.
In the next edition of this whitepaper we will look at the significant benefits that a well-chosen and
professionally implemented LMS can deliver to your business.
About SoftControl
Founded in Bangkok in 1993 by a team of German and Thai entrepreneurs, SoftControl has
helped global companies in Thailand and worldwide focus on growing their business for more
than two decades.
Over this period, we have delivered ITC services and solutions, including responsive websites in
more than 20 countries, to more than 200+ local and international customers including small
and medium size companies as well as enterprise level businesses across different industries. For
many of our long list of satisfied customers we continue to be a preferred IT consultant and
provide ongoing IT support and strategic advice.
SoftControl’s success and continuity as an IT partner of choice arises from always placing your
business interests firmly at the centre of the innovative solutions and services we offer. Our
know-how and expertise as an IT partner is aimed single-mindedly at giving customers the
freedom to get on with business – a vision which we call IT Peace of Mind.
Read more about SoftControl Learning Management Solution (LMS) here:
http://www.softcontrol.net/hr-and-lms/lms-and-knowledge-management-system.
For ICT business solution in Thailand: call us +66 2 105-4068 or send email to
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