7 Ways To Evaluate Your Team’s Skills With the Right LMS
Finding the ideal Learning Management System involves a variety of factors, from budgeting constraints to must-have features. However, the first and most important consideration is how it will be received by your team. They are the ones who must use the tool on a daily basis to develop, deploy, and monitor your online training initiatives. Ultimately, the LMS software must align with their needs and suit their individual talents to warrant the investment. How do you evaluate your team’s skills and abilities to find the right LMS?
1. Work Process Analysis
Evaluate your team’s everyday workflow to see which skills they put into action and what’s lacking from your current LMS platform. You can use LMS metrics, observations, or even ask them to map out their work process step by step. This also allows you to identify skill gaps or strengths. For example, one member of your team avoids more advanced functionalities because they simply don’t have the necessary tech skills, or the tool is too difficult for them to master. Schedule a meeting after the analysis to clarify which skills they use and how a new system can make their lives easier.
2. Sample Projects
Invite your team to create a sample project with your current LMS and conduct a focus group after the fact. This allows you to put their skills to the test and gauge their level of experience, especially when the sample project involves a broad range of tasks that involve different talents or abilities. For example, certain members of your team cannot use the built-in authoring tools to create a simulation. This indicates that they either lack the necessary skills or need a more intuitive tool. Possibly both.
3. Launch An In-House Certification Program
Choose the most essential skills that your team needs to possess, then develop a certification course for each. You can even curate third-party content or purchase pre-built certification programs. Another option is to piece together a mini-certification library with the online training resources you already have. For example, a collection of simulations, online training tutorials, and self-assessments that test their analytical or Project Management skills. The certifications can also be used after you purchase the LMS to bridge personal gaps and lessen the learning curve.
4. Conduct Qualitative Assessments
Real world application is the best way to evaluate your team's skills, especially if they’re geographically dispersed. Online simulations, branching scenarios, and other qualitative assessment methods allow you to analyze their skills in practical settings. For example, a simulation mimics a work-related ‘emergency’ to see how they handle the situation, as well as how they work to resolve the issue and utilize related skills.
5. Survey Your Team
A direct way to evaluate your team is to simply ask. Conduct online surveys and questionnaires to get their take on which talents they possess, as well as which they would like to develop in order to be more productive. Focus on abilities that tie into their normal work duties and LMS functions. Then you can compile the results and look for patterns. For example, strengths that your team members have in common that can help you choose the best LMS.
6. Gather Peer-Based Feedback
Surveys give you the self-perspective, but peer-based feedback discloses the other half of the picture. Conduct one-on-one interviews or questionnaires with team members to gather their honest opinions regarding their collaborators. For example, which team member displays the strongest graphic design or problem-solving skills? Which abilities do they feel a specific member needs to work on in order to use the LMS effectively? Remember to keep the results anonymous so that you don’t create ill-will amongst the group.
7. Sign Up For LMS Free Trials And Demos
Sign up for an LMS free trial and invite your team members to use the platform to complete their tasks. Then schedule follow-up interviews and evaluate the LMS reports to collect feedback. With new features and functionalities at their disposal, some members may even discover untapped talents. LMS free trials give you the rare opportunity to determine if the platform aligns with your eLearning team’s needs and expectations before you sign on the dotted line and invest in precious resources. They can also shed light on which aspects of the tool they favor, and which made their daily work process more challenging.
Top Tip To Hone Your Team’s Talents
Assessing your team gives you the insights you need to choose the ideal LMS. But there are times you may need to hone their talents to fill gaps and acclimate them to the new system. For instance, one team member lacks the experience they need to use the customizable reporting features, or they’re unfamiliar with the data migration protocols. In this case, they require online training resources of their own to bring them up to speed instead of limiting the potential of the rest of the team by forcing them to use a tool that is more rudimentary. Offer them microlearning support tools or pair them with a more experienced peer-mentor who can guide them through the process.
Evaluating your team’s experience, knowledge, and skill sets helps you to find an LMS that is user-friendly for all. Thus, everyone has the same opportunity to use built-in features and functions to create memorable online training content. You should also consider the needs and preferences of your corporate learners when choosing your next LMS, as they must be able to access the online training resources with ease to broaden their knowledge and skills.
Have you created a requirement list for your new LMS platform? Have you factored in all its costs? Can you really afford your top LMS contenders? Or are there hidden LMS fees that may whittle down your limited resources? Download our free eBook How To Buy The Right LMS: The Complete Guide to find out the tell-tale signs that your organization is ready for a Learning Management System, the top criteria for choosing the best LMS for your organization having all possible LMS hidden fees in mind, as well as the LMS reports you should look for in a new LMS.
