Frustration with LMS vendors remains as high as in previous years. It seems we all love to hate our LMS, and there are good reasons for it.
The Brandon Hall Group Learning Trends 2015 survey asked for customer ratings on 17 aspects of LMS service delivery. None of them ranked about 3.5 on a 5-point scale.
Thirty-three percent of respondents are planning to replace their learning platforms. Few expressed confidence in their current vendor.[1]
In the past few years, vendors have tried to capture the market with features. It hasn’t worked out well. The Brandon Hall report indicates that dissatisfaction with too many features is as prevalent as with too few. We are entering an era of specialization where vendors focus on the needs of market niches.[2] That’s a good sign, and we expect it to transform the LMS market.
Is it Time to Replace your LMS?
There are hundreds of learning management systems clamoring for you to replace your learning platform. It might be the right time to do so – but before you do, take a step back to evaluate how your current LMS could deliver better value.
We’ve brainstormed a few questions to help assess whether you need a change. Any LMS owner can benefit from asking these questions, but the answers will be unique to each organization.
Are you dictating your strategy or is your LMS doing it for you?
Too often, companies select an LMS to meet current needs but do not address future needs. If a lack of scalability is keeping you from implementing your strategy, it may be time for a change.
Do your users hate your LMS?
Would your people rather visit the dentist than log into your LMS? Whether that mindset is justified or not, it degrades learning. A modern LMS built with the user experience in mind might be the catalyst you need to move your organization up the learning maturity curve.
Is your learning content stale?
Do you need to upgrade your learning content but don’t have the tools? E-Learning tools have matured to position where we now have tools to create high-quality content in half a day. There are thousands of low and no-cost courses available online, and making it available through your LMS is easier than you might think.
Is your current LMS not delivering value because you don’t know how to use it?
An LMS is by its very nature a complex tool. Learning its administrative functions can be difficult, especially if you don’t get enough support from the vendor. Before you make the leap to a new provider, explore how much effort it might take to become more adept at using it.
Are You On the Wrong LMS Support Plan?
The lower-cost support plan you have may not be right for you. If you could save money with a better support program rather than a new LMS, that may be the right move. You might also want to consider managed services from a specialist in learning management support.
Could your current LMS meet your needs if you extended it?
Extension is the addition of capability to an application through an integration or interface. One example might be social media tools. Another could be easy access to MOOCs. Often, integrating your LMS with external resources can be a way to expand your capabilities at minimal cost. When you explore that option, choose a partner who can extend your platform independent of your application, so you need not be concerned about upgrades.
Get the Best Return on Your LMS Investment
We hope these questions help you maximize the value of your learning investments. While this list does not cover every consideration in your LMS decision, we hope it starts you thinking about how you can best use your resources.
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References:
1. “LMS Trends 2015: Is It Time for Something Different?” Brandon Hall Group. 2015.
2. Leh, John. "The Rise of LMS Specialists: A Tour of Learning Tech Innovation - Talented Learning." Talented Learning. August 30, 2016. Accessed September 06, 2016.
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