Creative news

Your Must-Have LMS Implementation guide (with printable checklist) (PDF)

Mar 30, 2022

Online and e-learning is gaining momentum as more and more people settle in for the long-term benefits of remote working and distance learning settings. This means that businesses invest in digital learning instruments and platforms in a way that has never been seen before.

JPMorgan Chase is planning to spend $600 million to upskill its workforce. Amazon has invested more than $700 million to provide an upskilling program for its employees. And, PwC is spending $3 billion to train all its employees in the coming three to four years.

If you're considering the possibilities of a more flexible, modern Learning Management System (LMS) that will create stimulating learning experiences, then you'll need an LMS implementation project plan that will help you create an effective, successful, and sustainable platform. an efficient system.

 In this post we'll teach you all you need to know to develop a simplified LMS Implementation plan. such as:

  • A brief refresher of what a management system
  • How to select the right software for your company (with an online guide! )
  • The benefits of having an LMS Plan of implementation
  • The pre-, the post- and post-launch steps in the LMS launch (with an online launch preparation checklist! )

 What exactly is a learning management system (LMS)?

They are effective tools when used correctly. A LMS can be described as an e-learning tool that helps trainers upload, create, manage, distribute, and track their online training projects in one location. LMS typically employed for customer, employee, or channel partner training, as well as continuous learning as well as lead generation.

 Selecting the most suitable LMS for your business

 If you are looking to find LMS partners, you should ask these questions:

  • Does this tool meet our technical needs?
  • Does it have enough flexibility to satisfy our requirements?
  • How important will the success of the customer be?
  • Will it scale with our growth?
  • Can it deliver users with the experience students need?

 The benefits of having an LMS implementation project plan

The process of selecting an LMS is a feat by itself. It takes time, diligence and countless meetings with the vendor to find a system that is most suitable for the needs of your company. After you've found the LMS picked There's no doubt that you'll need to see the most efficient ROI possible by implementing your thorough LMS planning for implementation.

 Here are a few advantages to creating a program that can get the system operating quickly

  • It will save you time. With a solid implementation plan, you'll have your new system active quicker than if you wing it after your purchase. You'll be able to save time and , most likely, lots of headaches.
  • This makes for an easy Implementation that is seamless. In mapping out your steps to make sure you have a successful implementation you're already on the road towards successful. With a thorough strategy, you'll have a clear picture for all the elements necessary to make the smoothest implementation feasible for both you and your users.
  • Returns are generated quicker. IBM uncovered a $30 return for every $1 spent in e-learning. No matter how small or big, companies want to realize the benefits of their LMS purchase. One of the fastest methods to get there is with a thoughtful implementation approach that creates immediate value for customers.

Pro Tip: One of the benefits of our top-tier package, Plus, is that you'll get a individualized Customer Success Manager (CSM). When you take out the Plus contract and sign it, your CSM will be there to support your business goals and act as your guide while you navigate the Plus platform. This includes working with you to develop an elaborate implementation plan, create a feasible timeline with key milestones, and complete a Launch Preparedness Review to ensure you're set up to be successful.

 16 steps to a streamlined LMS implementation

The process of getting a brand new LMS up and running to deliver immediate value isn't an easy task. However, it shouldn't become overwhelming.

In a comprehensive LMS implementation roll-out plan and all the information needed to lead you through the crucial steps:

  • Pre-Launch
  • In Launch
  • Post-Launch

 Pre-Launch Implementation Steps

The process of mapping out an effortless LMS implementation starts as soon as you've selected your preferred platform and are in the phase of pre-launch. Below are our suggested steps for getting your LMS launch off to a successful start.

 1. Make sure you align your stakeholder

Aligning your stakeholder groups is the initial step for a reason. The people you choose to work with will determine the success or failure of the success of your LMS implementation. When aligning your stakeholders, it's important to identify:

  • Implementation users (your Launch team)
  • Internal stakeholders (anyone within your company the LMS is designed to offer benefit to)
  • Other stakeholders (any external parties that could affect your plans for example, your LMS support team Web developers, instructors , designers, content creators and many more)

from an internal perspective is also crucial to inquire about any onboarding hiccups they have and get a solid knowledge of their learning and development objectives.

After you've identified your key stakeholders, you're ready to build your team that will help in the creation of the system of your desires. You can start by making certain that everyone is aware of their role. The RACI matrix provides a great way of assigning roles by delineating who is accountable for, accountable, and consulted and kept informed throughout the entire process of the project plan.

 2. Create a timeline (and follow it! )

After you've identified the key players, you're ready to set the timeline for your project that's beneficial for everyone. One way to do this is by working backward from the launch date you'd like to set. Make that date a priority in your the back of your mind as you think about and outlining every major milestone that you'll have to complete in order to reach your goal And then, assign your milestones and deadlines. Gantt charts provide a visual method of displaying your timeline so everyone can view every milestone until the date of launch.

Pro Tip: Make sure the timelines work for everyone's schedule and make sure your initiative isn't in competition with major projects which may take their attention off.

 3. Consider investing in a need for training analysis

An analysis of training requirements will help you understand the job your LMS needs to do - and the gaps that it requires to address. With a training needs analysis it is possible to map the changes your students will need to undergo to move from their current reality to their desired future.

First, you must analyze your audience's needs in relation to the expectations of skill specific to certain groups using an analysis of their training needs. In order to do this, you can separate your internal groups according to the following categories and identify the specific abilities or knowledge that the person needs to excel in that group:

  • Job Role
  • Department
  • Organizational Niveau

Then, you need to identify the gaps in the knowledge your employees currently have as well as the skills they'll must develop in order for them to be where they need or want to be. This knowledge of gaps will help you create a content roadmap for your LMS deployment later.

 4. Make sure your content is in one row

At this point, you've established your team, set your deadline, and identified the training gaps you're LMS will be able to fix. Now, you're ready for the content itself - that could be implemented in several ways.

The first step is to transfer your learning material directly to your LMS platform to get moving quicker. At , we have the Bulk Importer feature that allows you to upload all of your courses' audio, video, and PDF lessons using a drag and drop. It makes the entire course transfer process much more manageable! On a Plus plan your Customer Success Manager (CSM) can provide advice on customized migrations as well.

You can also create your own course material from the ground up. If you choose to do this We suggest beginning with an outline of your content and integrate the fun features that the new LMS offers - such as quizzes, surveys, and discussions boards. Be aware that this procedure is time-consuming, so ensure you allocate sufficient commitment to time within your LMS implementation project plan and schedule.

 5. Make sure that your employees are trained on the system

A LMS is a powerful learning tool if people know how to use the system. So, it is essential to make sure that the users are able to access and use the system before letting them loose.

Make sure you instruct the new users how to login and navigate through the system in order to access their learning materials. Also, double-check with managers to make sure that they know about the program and what they are expected to do in managing it. This will aid in developing their group members.

Pro-tip: A simple guide to training and an easy-to-access FAQ will save you many hours of dealing with basic inquiries such as "What is my username?" or "Which training is the best first?"

 6. Remember to consider user experience

The user experience is crucial for attracting your students' interest and making them eager to try your brand new LMS. It's important to weave user experience throughout the pre-launch stage so that at launch time, you know the platform will be easy for users to use from start until the end.

If you're ready to evaluate the user experience of your customers, sign up a beta user and assign them training content. Make sure they get the welcome email and that the email isn't spamming. Log in with them as they to ensure that it works as expected and that they were assigned the right training material.

 7. Test tests, test, and then test again

Few things are more frustrating than trying to get the most out of a system, but then discovering that it's not performing as you wanted it to. This is the reason we're convinced about the value to test before the launch.

Don't forget to test your system's compatibility when you're in test mode. You can try a number of different internet browsers like Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

 8. Triple-check your launch preparedness

This is the last step you've put in the work commitment, time, and effort to create your LMS off the ground successfully you're probably eager to make it available to all the people. But, before hitting the 'go' button, don't forget to make sure you double and triple check the system's readiness for launch.

Download The launch preparation checklist to ensure you have everything in place before you launch your new system.

 The Implementation Processes You Need to Take In Your Launch

Now that your LMS has been officially launched, there are several steps you can take to keep your system in good condition, so that it can perform to the best of its abilities.

 9. Review your content

With your LMS installation already in progress, now is the right time to run a pulse check of your existing content. What additional content or courses will you require? Which courses are proving popular? welland what have students having trouble with?

Additionally, you can enhance students' involvement in the classroom through the layering of assessments, quizzes, and certificates your students can share broadly.

 10. Organize your curriculum

While you hammer out your content approach that is an ongoing endeavor You can also be sure to check that your content's organization is on par with the needs of your audience.

In doing so Be sure to review your course's categories and sections along with the navigators. These ensure that your experience for users is as interesting as it is informative.

 11. Individual course review

When you have looked at the big picture, you can now focus on completing your revisions through the course.

Are your courses interacting students with them and providing them to succeed in the manner they want? Do you have any prerequisites for the courses that your audience would find helpful in setting them up to be successful? Does the course's completion leave the students wanting to learn to know more?

These are crucial guiding questions to consider as you take your courses to the next level. This will help you ensure that your LMS continuously provides the best value.

Pro tip: On , you are able to make course reviews available directly in your curriculum in order to collect feedback from your students. Also, you can make a survey lesson type that asks specific questions regarding your contents.

 12. Create student support channels for students.

Some of your participants will be able to attend their training alone. They'll be asking questions or wanting to collaborate with others taking similar courses. That's why including students' support channels into the curriculum is crucial for keeping your students involved and inspired.

 Those channels could be:

Learn more about improving your student's experience by clicking here.

 13. Elevate your site branding

Customization and branding for courses can be a great way to engage your students to your business throughout the learning experience. If you have the best LMS program, you'll be able to make your courses unique by incorporating custom themes that you have created and logos, colours, and fonts as well with custom layouts, navigation, headers, and footers that will resonate with students. Discover more information about the branding choices here.

 14. Be in contact with your students and instructors

Keeping students engaged well after your launch is an art which requires a bit of resilience and plenty of support that is automated. Particularly with students that aren't communicating with them, the better - this is the reason why email campaigns for students and drip-campaigns can be huge benefits to an LMS.

Drip campaigns are an effective method of marketing that requires sending a staggering series of email to students that are drifting off your classes. The logic here, to help someone regain their education online after they've dropped off.

Instructors can also benefit from regular communications, particularly via notification. Instructors can subscribe to as many messages and messages as they'd like. It doesn't matter whether a new student or lead signs up for their course or there's a new discussion thread - instructors is informed in all time.

 Post-Launch Implementation Methods

Moving into the post-launch stage of your LMS planning for implementation is an occasion to celebrate! It means you've completed your pre-planning and launched your platform , but the hard work continues.

 Implementation steps after launch will help you remain on top of your system to make the necessary improvements that create stellar learning experiences on the internet.

 15. Monitor the system's usage

Examining your system's analytics can tell many different stories including:

  • Who's using your system
  • What is the frequency they're employing it?
  • Which courses are most popular and least?
  • What your students are doing and how they are progressing within individual courses
  • You can use HTML0 to enhance your web page

There's a lot more you can discover through analytics and data, but at the heart of it, it can also tell you how successful your LMS implementation was and ways to improve the subsequent versions of it. Explore the capabilities of's reporting on this page.

 16. Get feedback

While this may be the final step of the LMS implementation project plan, it's arguably one of the most crucial for the ongoing development of your program and online learning programs. Getting direct feedback from your system's users will enable you to know exactly what's working, the areas where it's not working, and how you can make improvements.

Whichever method you use be sure to inquire. So, you'll can determine exactly what people think of your product and its value to them.

 Conclusion

By now, I hope you have a good understanding of how to create a successful LMS implementation project plan that will bring value to your business. With a detailed plan, the proper team, and the right technology, you'll have everything within a matter of minutes to implement a system that gets your customers and the company in the position it needs to become.