Evaluating an LMS

EVALUATION - To evaluate which LMS is ideal for your firm, use the steps below to conduct market research:

Determine the Most Critical Aspects of Your Unique Setup.

You want to invest in the ideal LMS. However, what is excellent for one organisation may not be suitable for another. So, based on your requirements, you must first differentiate must-haves from nice-to-haves.

Consider the following scenario:

If you do not have an internal IT team dedicated to setting up and maintaining your system, you must strongly consider opting for a user-friendly SaaS or cloud based LMS.

If you're on a restricted budget, check for LMSs that offer various price plans and pick the one with the most basic functionality.

Choose an LMS that allows you to design unique training programmes for each department, client, or branch while still using the same account.

Check which LMSs allow your preferred payment systems and provide marketing-related tools if you're selling (or plan to sell) online courses.

Choose an LMS with a robust reporting package if you want to keep track of your learning.

Ask for Client References

Speak to your shortlisted LMS vendors’ customers to hear what they have to say about the software and particularly the support experience. These conversations will give you insights into what the users liked and didn't like about the LMS platform.

Also, look at or ask for case studies. These credentials are usually available on the LMS website. Watch out for businesses that are similar to your size and sector. This check can indicate that the LMS is a suitable fit for you as well.

Prioritise your precise requirements, must-haves, and deal-breakers when reading evaluations and testimonies. Compare the different LMS platforms based on time to go live, for example, if you want to start utilising your LMS as soon as feasible.

Try It Out for Free

Some LMS providers provide free trials. A free trial is advantageous since you will test the product before committing to a pricing plan.

You'll determine whether the system satisfies all of your requirements, how simple it is to use (for example, creating courses and assigning new users), and whether you have any technical issues that you'd like to discuss with the support team.

After you've thought about everything, make a shortlist of 2-3 LMS platforms and choose the one that checks the most of your high-priority criteria.

For a more detailed and thorough strategy on evaluating the right LMS please read: 9 Questions to Ask Your Vendor Before Selecting an LMS.