Small Scale Vs. Full Scale eLearning Implementation: Which Is Better For You?

Small Scale Vs. Full Scale eLearning Implementation: Which Is Better For You?
Summary: While some organizations have taken the plunge and migrated to eLearning in one big move, others have made the move one small step at a time, with plans to scale up the operations and increase the use of online training. Read on to find out whether a small scale or a full scale eLearning implementation is better for your company.

Small Scale Or Full Scale eLearning Implementation?

eLearning has become the mainstay of corporate training. If you are an organization looking to jump onto the eLearning bandwagon, you need to know whether your company will benefit from a small scale eLearning implementation or full scale. This determines the success of the implemented eLearning. So, how can you assess the scale or level of eLearning implementation your organization requires? The implementation strategy you select must be based on your organization’s needs, capabilities, budget, resources, and IT skills. The following table will give you an idea of the type of choices you must make.

Small scale Full scale
What exactly is small scale and full scale? Implementation of a single course or a few courses across one department. Organization-wide implementation of eLearning.
Which eLearning implementation strategy is recommended? Small scale implementation is recommended when an organization is setting up eLearning for the first time. For example, in most cases, companies prefer to implemented-learning for compliance training as a first step. Full scale eLearning implementation is recommended only if you have a well-defined strategy in place. If your organization has good prior experience with eLearning, you can expand your horizons using this strategy.
Change Factor/Change Management Change is considerably easy to manage as you would be implementing for only one type of training or a small category. Change assumes importance as a lot of resources will be involved, including dealing with various stakeholders, deciding on the right time and strategy, and more. Comparatively, this implementation is difficult to manage.
Relative Costs Cost is relatively high as only a single training would be through eLearning. Cost will be relatively less as eLearning is implemented organization-wide and will be used for many years to come.
Success Rate Success rate is higher, since the it is implemented in small sections. Success rate depends on the organization’s prior experience with eLearning.
Scope There is ample scope to continually conduct small scale experiments to determine the worth and value of the eLearning and proceed further. There is little scope, if any, for experiments to determine the value and worth of implementing eLearning. Once it is implemented, there is no going back.
ROI (Return On Investment) ROI is more and gained easily as the implementation is small scale. Full scale implementation without small scale experimentation can lead not only to frustration at all levels of the organization; but can also deplete resources, time, and efforts, ultimately diminishing our creative and innovative ‘ROI’.
Cost Factors A smaller investment is needed. Large investments and resources are needed.
Time Implementation is quick; so training can start faster. A long time is invested, so a delay in training can be expected.
External Factors In-built organizational skills will not be required much. The eLearning partner’s skills would be sufficient. Lack of time and skilled resources can affect the implementation of eLearning. Requires wide knowledge and prior experience on eLearning implementation.
In-house team The in-house team can perform all tasks related to eLearning development. In-house knowledge on various areas of eLearning such as Instructional Design and tool expertise, Learning Management System availability, and infrastructure support are required. It is required to outsource some functions such as course development and hosting to ease the pressure on the in-house team and manage time effectively.
Risk Risk is relatively less as the implementation is done on a small scale. Risk is more; a correct strategy and good eLearning partner have to be selected.
Dropout Rate The dropout rate, if any, would be minimal as it a small scale implementation and can be monitored easily. The dropout rate might be high and hard to manage if full scale eLearning is not implemented properly.
Prior Analysis Although analysis of needs, job roles, and other factors is needed, it is less as it is implemented on a small scale. A thorough analysis of audience, their delivery preferences, and more is required before deciding to implement eLearning organization-wide.
Varying Factors Factors involved in small scale implementation do not vary much as the number of audience, job roles, and more is limited. Factors such as employee needs, course needs, training needs, preferred methods of delivery, and much more vary as a large number of audiences are involved.

Therefore, you must decide whether your organization benefits more from a small scale or full scale eLearning implementation by considering these factors.

Want to know more about the successful strategies used by organizations to implement eLearning? Download the eBook eLearning: Getting your Organization READY  and get a thorough understanding of how to approach, implement, and sustain eLearning in your organization. By the end of this eBook you will learn how to:

  • Evaluate your organization’s readiness for eLearning.
  • Build a compelling business case for eLearning.
  • Overcome eLearning barriers you may face along the way.
  • Decide on whether to make or buy eLearning.
    Choose an eLearning partner.
  • Implement eLearning successfully in your organization.