LMS Implementation, Review & Recommendation

During my time with a major UK distributor of workplace supplies, I was responsible for an LMS (Learning Management System) research and implementation project. The need was to source an appropriate LMS solution for the company, using a budget of £30k annually. This would serve the needs of the training team, who were looking to provide access to more online materials to support their existing classroom based training. Over the longer term there was a desire to make more resources available online, with some solutions being e-learning only.

What did I deliver?

I researched and reviewed over 50 LMS providers, evaluating them against my own selection criteria and then recommending a handful to complete the request for proposal (RFP) process. My final recommendations included several solutions that were significantly under budget but met all the required criteria.

Who did I work with?

I worked with a number of external LMS vendors, and enlisted the support of several comparison services, aswell as liaising with a network of internal stakeholders to ensure their requirements were closely met.

How did I do it?

I arranged several meetings with a number of vendors and contacted several comparison services to ensure I had a wide range of resources to consult.

I gathered a variety of resources and performed extensive research, testing, evaluation aswell as consuming several demonstrations. I created my own bespoke set of requirements, which provided a clear measure of suitability for each solution.

I then collated and organised all of this information into one central place, where the results and my recommendations could be found. I then ranked and prioritised the solutions accordingly.

What was the outcome?

Using the above techniques – I was able to formally recommend 3 potential providers which had met the agreed measurement criteria. I made available full demo versions and all the relevant details for the various stakeholders. My final recommendation and proposed vendor provided significant cost savings of between £25-28k from the original budget, which was derived from a quote provided directly by a vendor before I applied my research. My recommendations were formally presented and an implementation plan was submitted as my contract came to an end with the employer.

What did I learn from this project?

I enjoyed the opportunity to apply my project management skills and industry knowledge to procurement rather than learning design. My research proved invaluable in making a fact based judgement on the most appropriate solution.

During my research and contact with such a wide range of industry experts – I learned a lot about how LMS selection works, what the trends were and how individuals differentiated themselves. I learned the importance of focusing on your goals when purchasing a tool, and not getting caught up in flashy, unnecessary features that do not help you to achieve your objectives.

I would be happy to answer any questions you have on this project or any other featured on this site – just get in touch! Please take a look at the rest of my portfolio…

Cheers

Jon