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First things first, learning drives venture success, so learning goals should be set and tracked straight. Choosing the right learning management system can greatly impact how effectively you deliver training courses. With a variety of options available, you should identify what features and capabilities align with your specific needs.
According to the Workplace Learning Report from LinkedIn, employees are eager for opportunities to improve their skills and keep up with industry trends. Despite this, only 35% of employees received encouragement from their managers to pursue learning over the past six months. The growing need to upskill isn’t solely driven by personal ambition; workplace skill requirements have shifted by approximately 25% since 2015, with this number projected to double by 2027.
Learning management systems are no longer a “nice-to-have” tool but a must, yet selecting the right one for your organisation can be a challenging task. The growing learner expectations and the fast pace of technological developments, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, are making businesses to reconsider how they approach learning.
Learning platforms are increasingly being used to train a broader range of audiences, including partners, channel sales teams, gig workers, and customers.
While LMS solutions have historically focused on corporate training programs, a conventional LMS software may not provide the engaging experience required for these diverse groups of learners. This guide to picking up the best learning management system for your organisation will highlight the essential features you should prioritise to position your business for future success.
4 steps to choose the best learning management systems for your business
The decision on the proper learning platform will shape the learning experiences of your team for years to come. Selecting an ill-fitting platform, however, can hinder effective knowledge sharing and leave you searching for a replacement. Fortunately, there are steps you can follow to ensure you make the best decision. Let’s now explore each step in greater detail.
Did you know?
- The global LMS market is projected to grow from USD 23.35 billion in 2024 to USD 82.00 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 17.0% during the forecast period.
- Over 80% of new LMS implementations are cloud-based, reflecting a shift towards more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solutions.
- Mobile learning continues to grow, with over 70% of learners accessing LMS content via mobile devices.
- Nearly 50% of LMS platforms now incorporate artificial intelligence to enhance personalized learning paths, automate administrative tasks, and provide more tailored learning process.
- Advanced analytics and reporting features are becoming a standard feature in LMS platforms, with 50% of platforms offering data analysis to track employee progress and outcomes.
- Corporate training continues to be a major driver for right LMS systems adoption, with over 70% of organisations using LMS platforms to deliver employee training and development programs.
Know your audience and goals
Knowing your audience is a lot harder than it sounds. Key considerations regarding your audience include.
Age group
What is the age range of your employees? Do you know that the younger workforce prefers to access training content via mobile devices and share it with others? In this case, learning management system LMS with popular social learning features and a high-quality mobile app would be the best option.
Audience size
If you anticipate a large number of learners or frequent turnover, it’s wise to opt for a corporate LMS that allows for mass enrolment in online courses. For smaller audiences, a more cost-effective solution with fewer features may be enough. Remember, LMS costs are often tied to the number of users, whether active or total.
Skill levels
Consider the skill levels of your employees. Do you have a mix of new hires needing onboarding and seasoned staff requiring upskilling? In this scenario, you’ll need a flexible LMS system that offers different learning paths, ensuring experienced employees can bypass introductory modules while still accessing relevant content.
While fostering a learning culture and promoting knowledge sharing are valuable, ensure these efforts align with measurable business objectives. Start by defining what you seek to achieve with your training strategy. Rather than settling for a broad goal like “increase sales,” be more specific. A vague objective won’t allow you to track outcomes or assess the LMS’s return on investment.
For example, if your goal is to “boost sales,” specify by how much and within what timeframe—such as “increase sales by 10% over the next 4 months.” Thus, you set a clear, measurable target.
To understand how the LMS can contribute to this goal, break it down into smaller, actionable steps. This will give you a practical roadmap for implementing your project successfully.
In the example of increasing sales, the breakdown might look like this:
- Train your sales representatives and channel partners on the product line and highlight the unique benefits of each product.
- Provide learning materials that teach effective sales techniques and encourage learners to share their tips and best practices.
- Conduct assessments to gauge everyone’s understanding after the training is completed.
These objectives and tasks will guide you in identifying the LMS features and use cases that best suit your needs. In this scenario, you’ll require an LMS solutions that excels in sales and partner training, fosters collaborative learning, and includes assessment tools like quizzes and tests.
Outline your requirements
With a clear understanding of your audience and goals, it’s high time to outline the key requirements for your new LMS. Here are some of the most important factors to consider.
Content
What learning materials do you currently have, and what will you need to move forward? If you have existing content, ensure it’s compatible with the new LMS (SCORM compliance). If not, you’ll either need to create training materials yourself (opt for an LMS with built-in content creation tools or seamless integration with third-party authoring tools).
Support
While it’s not about expecting failure, challenges are bound to arise. When they do, you’ll be thankful for choosing an LMS vendor with reliable and responsive customer support. Be sure to ask potential providers about the level of assistance they offer.
Security and data privacy
Your training materials may contain sensitive information, including trade secrets, and you’ll also need to ensure compliance with GDPR and industry-specific regulations. Security should be a top priority when selecting an LMS.
To prevent unauthorised access to your data and ensure employees only see what they’re supposed to, evaluate LMS security carefully before making a decision. Ask LMS vendors about where your data will be stored, their user authentication processes, and how you can manage access control.
Integrations
If your business relies on tools for sales, analytics, or other operations (as most do), your LMS should integrate with services and platforms like HubSpot, Google Analytics, Salesforce, and others.
Identify the features you'd like to have
So, for the next step, think about the features you may need, taking into consideration your initial goals and business requirements. Consider including the following features.
Social learning elements
Features such as chat, forums, and content sharing can greatly enhance engagement and retention rates. These features are viral among younger audiences accustomed to social media.
However, social learning tools support informal learning across all age groups by facilitating the sharing of videos, blogs, e-books, and tips. An LMS with strong social learning capabilities allows employees to interact with educators in real time with no hassle.
For organisations looking to monetise their knowledge, built-in eCommerce functionality is a must. Choose a platform that supports payment processing or offers integrations with well-known payment solutions such as Shopify, PayPal, and Stripe. Thus, your customers can browse, preview, purchase, and access courses through a consistent and branded interface.
Gamification
Gamification is a powerful tool to drive the engagement of LMS users. Consider LMS options that incorporate gamification elements, similar to popular workout apps like Apple Fitness+ or Nike Run Club, to drive learner participation and achievement.
Duolingo incorporates gamification to enhance language learning, while Notion applies similar principles to productivity tracking on top of AI. Gamification has been shown to effectively boost engagement, making it a valuable strategy for enhancing employee training. Incorporating elements such as milestones, badges, and leaderboards can make learning both enjoyable and impactful.
Mobile learning
Smartphones have become an extension of human cognition. Beyond their use for social media and gaming, smartphones facilitate mobile learning, enabling users to access training materials through the LMS at their convenience. With an increasing number of young professionals entering the workforce, providing a branded learning experience is key. Younger generations, who have always had mobile access to online content, expect this convenience.
Certifications
In numerous industries, maintaining certification is required for compliance with regulatory standards. Regardless of the certifications required, an effective LMS should offer features to monitor certification status. This includes tracking which employees are certified, identifying those who still need certification, and scheduling refresher courses as necessary.
Artificial Intelligence
Engage with experts in your field, and you’ll likely hear extensive discussions about the transformative impact of AI. AI technology is indeed advancing rapidly, and many cloud-based LMS platforms are already incorporating AI features.
These capabilities can streamline administrative tasks like enrolment and enhance the user experience with automated recommendations and virtual tutors.
Look for potential vendors
Now, you should now have a clear understanding of your requirements. The next phase involves researching suitable vendors that align with your needs. Given the multitude of options available, it’s helpful to make notes for easy reference.
Your list may be extensive, so you’ll need strategies to narrow it down. Start by consulting industry peers about their interaction with various LMS platforms. Their insights will provide valuable information on how these systems perform in real scenarios and the overall user experience.
Further, refine your list by examining each vendor’s expertise. Consider their years in business, notable clients, and awards they may have received.
Lastly, review crowdsourced feedback on platforms such as TrustPilot to see the level of user satisfaction.
Extra expert tips
Having reviewed the key steps for selecting an LMS platform, you are almost ready to compile your shortlist and begin sending out requests for proposals.
Before you proceed, consider these three additional expert tips to refine your approach further.
Ask for a demo
Before the demo, review your learning goals you’ve established and develop a list of specific use cases. Additionally, prepare a set of questions to address during the demo. This is your chance not only to observe the LMS in action but also to learn more about any hidden costs, security, customisation, and any other relevant details.
Moreover, the actual evaluation occurs when you test the platform yourself. Take your time to explore various use cases. If you find the platform challenging to understand or navigate, your administrators and learners may encounter similar difficulties.
Explore the real LMS costs
LMS provider may offer various pricing models, so it’s crucial to understand the billing structure for accurate budgeting. Here are the most common models:
- Pay Per Learner: This model charges a fixed price for a set number of learners. Let’s say you have to pay $50 per month for up to 50 learners. While this model provides cost predictability, you may still face charges for unused learner slots if your actual count is lower.
- Pay Per Active User: With this approach, you are billed based on the number of users who actively engage with the platform during a billing cycle. This can help avoid paying for unused slots but may complicate budgeting if the number of active users fluctuates.
- License Fee or Flat Subscription: This model often involves a one-time fee for self-hosted LMS platforms, where you manage the installation process and maintenance. Also, many cloud-based LMS platforms use a similar approach, charging a fixed cost no matter what user count you have.
- Free: There are also open-source LMS platforms available at no cost.
Learn the LMS types
Understanding the types of LMS platforms is key to making the right choice for your needs:
- SaaS LMS (Cloud-Based): Popular for its ease of use and minimal maintenance, as the vendor manages hosting and updates. However, it might offer limited customisation options compared to other models.
- On-Premise LMS (Self-Hosted): Involves a licensing fee that requires you to install and manage specific software on your own servers. This option is ideal for those needing high security and extensive customisation, provided you have the technical resources to support it.
- Open Source LMS: Available for free but demands substantial technical expertise for setup and maintenance. Best suited for organisations with strong IT teams and those comfortable with a more involved deployment process.
- Custom-Made LMS: Offers complete control and can be developed in-house or outsourced to a development team. This option is ideal for organisations with specific needs and the budget to support a tailored solution.
The final words
Choosing a new LMS can be challenging given the vast array of options available, each offering unique features and varying costs. It’s important to approach LMS selection thoughtfully, as this platform will drive your learning initiatives and enhance employee engagement.
How can we help you?
At Altamira, we provide custom EdTech solutions that include a range of multimedia tools, interactive content, and analytics to monitor and enhance learner performance. Together, we can foster accessibility, engagement, and knowledge retention, addressing various learning styles and needs.
By integrating features such as points, badges, leaderboards, and interactive challenges, we design a dynamic learning experience that engages students and enhances knowledge retention. Our services are tailored to accommodate diverse educational settings and objectives.
Key challenges we address:
- Outdated educational methods
- Broken collaboration between peers and educators
- Passive learning models
- Lack of personalisation
- Cost inefficiency in educational delivery
- Data breaches and unauthorised access
- Vague learning experience
Our expertise covers all phases of LMS development, including strategic planning, design, and implementation. We proactively employ advanced technologies and a user-centric approach to create reliable, scalable, and intuitive LMS platforms tailored to meet educational and organisational needs.
Altamira’s team ensures seamless customisation to align with your unique goals, enhancing accessibility, user engagement, and knowledge retention.