What To Consider When Choosing An LMS For Your On Demand Training Program

What To Consider When Choosing An LMS For Your On Demand Training Program
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Summary: With the workforce becoming more digitally capable and looking to take control of their own learning, it’s important to choose the best possible LMS to support the modern learner. So where do you begin? Take a look at our handy article.

Choosing An LMS For Your On Demand Training Program

Technology enables workers to incorporate their learning into the workplace, removing the need to be away from their desk and instead look for quick, real-time information.

eBook Release: On Demand Training: How To Create An Agile Learning Environment Using A NextGen LMS
eBook Release
On Demand Training: How To Create An Agile Learning Environment Using A NextGen LMS
Discover why On Demand Training exists, what your On Demand Training program should include, and how a NextGen LMS can support you in the process.

On demand training programs give L&D teams the opportunity to provide instant access to valuable information online—when are where employees need it.

Traditional LMSs tend to focus more on courses and providing tons of content, however, next-generation LMSs offer a more unique approach to better support the potential of on demand training. With the workforce becoming more digitally capable and looking to take control of their own learning, it’s important to choose the best possible LMS to support the modern learner.

Take a look at the points below so you know what to consider when choosing an LMS for your on demand training program.

Why On Demand Training?

The first thing all L&D teams should understand before even thinking about choosing an LMS is why on demand training is so valuable.

On demand training gives staff the opportunity to take control of their own learning, as and when they need it. Self-directed learning is far more engaging and productive to employees than classroom training or courses because they can apply the information straight away and put it into practice.

The Towards Maturity’s Learner Voice series [1] states the number one reason why people want to learn online at work is to do their jobs better and faster.

With online training, you eliminate the time-delay associated with course planning and waiting times, and instead offer quick, context-rich solutions and guidance. When done correctly, on demand training results in higher engagement, more productive and knowledgeable employees, and lower costs and turnover for the organization.

How Efficient Is The LMS?

Your LMS should allow you to easily create content and change resources when necessary. This is even more important for an on demand training program since the information is readily available, so it’s important that it is kept up-to-date.

It’s important to consider the adaptability and limitations of your LMS. Some learning platforms end up being extremely time-consuming and difficult to keep up-to-date. An efficient LMS will save time for L&D teams by removing the need for large chunks of admin or taking a lot of time to update resources.

Your LMS also needs to work on multiple devices. The purpose of on demand training is to support the motivations of your employees, who want to be able to find the answers they need as quickly as possible. Your chosen software should have the adaptability to be accessed on desktop, mobile, tablet, and laptops to ensure you give your staff the opportunity to learn in real-time, as and when they need to.

How User-Friendly Is It?

Your LMS should be easy to use as your on demand digital resources need to be quick to access. It is off-putting for employees if they have to spend chunks of time working out how to use complex systems just to find the information they need, and they certainly aren’t likely to return to the LMS if their first experience is a negative one.

An easy-to-use platform gives your staff the information they need easily and quickly, without needing loads of training beforehand on how to use the system itself.

What Data Can It Track?

Reporting helps L&D teams to decipher what is or isn’t working, and ultimately helps to improve the quality of your on demand training.

Your LMS should make it easy for you to see useful data and reports to determine the value and quality of your training material.

On demand training offers a learner-centric approach. Data and insights will provide value to the business, as your staff will be taking control of their own learning, so it’s L&Ds role to ensure the best possible materials are provided for them to succeed. Look at what your organization considers to be key measures to ensure you’re focusing on the right data to improve and deliver.

What’s Your Budget?

On demand training programs already save the organization money, as they remove the need for transportation costs, paperwork, instructor costs, and travel time.

It’s worth considering your budget and the must-have features when selecting your LMS to ensure you choose a platform that can best support your business and training goals. Choosing the wrong platform can lead to low engagement, poor productivity, and high turnover costs, so it’s important to have clear expectations of what you require from your software.

These factors should all be considered when looking for an LMS. It’s important to remember every organization is different, so the training goals you hope to achieve with your on demand training program are unique to your company. Consider the points above to ensure you’re on the right track to choosing the right LMS for your business.

Reference: 

[1] The Learner Voice