The Must-Have LMS Implementation Guide (with downloadable checklist) -

E-learning and online courses have taken off as students settle in for the long haul of remote work and distant learning spaces. Which means businesses are investing in digital education devices and platforms that have never before.

JPMorgan Chase is planning to spend $600 million on educating the workforce of its company. Amazon has invested more than $700 million to provide the necessary training for their workers. And, PwC is spending $3 billion in order to improve the skills of all employees in the coming three to four years.

If you're considering the possibilities of a more flexible, modern learn management software (LMS) which can create engaging learning experiences, you'll require an LMS implementation plan. This helps you build an effective, successful, and sustainable platform. an effective platform.

 In this article we'll teach you all you'll need to know about how to develop a simplified LMS implementation project plan, for example:

• A brief review of what a management system
• The best tool for your business (with a downloadable guide! )
• Benefits of an LMS Plan of implementation
• The pre-, the post- and post-launch actions to prepare for the LMS implementation (with an online launch preparation checklist! )

 What exactly is a learning management system (LMS)?

LMS' can be powerful instruments when properly used. An LMS is an electronic learning platform that can help trainers upload, create, manage, distribute, and monitor their online learning initiatives all in one spot. LMS typically utilized for customer or channel partner training and for ongoing learning and lead generation.

 Selecting the best fit LMS to your company

 When shopping around for LMS partners, ask yourself these questions:

• Can this tool handle the technical demands of our company?
• Does it have enough flexibility to meet our needs?
• How important will the success of the customer be?
• Can it be scaled to keep up with the growth of our business?
• Provides an experience that our students require?

 Benefits of an LMS implementation project plan

Selecting an LMS is a feat by itself. It requires time, effort and countless meetings with the vendor to find one that's ideal to your business's requirements. After you've found your LMS selected, there's no question it's important to get the most efficient ROI possible - starting with your detailed LMS planning for implementation.

 Here are some advantages of creating a program that can get your system up and running fast:

• It will save you time. If you have a well-planned implementation plan, you'll have your system up and running more quickly than if you just wing it after your purchase. This will save you time and likely, a lot of hassles.
• Creates a seamless Implementation that is seamless. By laying out the steps to ensure a smooth implementation, you're already on the path to success. With a detailed strategy, you'll have a clear picture for every aspect necessary to ensure the most seamless implementation feasible for both you and your customers.
• The return is generated faster. IBM uncovered a $30 return for every $1 spent in e-learning. No matter how small or big, companies are looking to swiftly reap the ROI for the LMS purchase. One of the fastest methods to do this is to use a a thoughtful implementation approach that creates immediate value for customers.

Pro Tip: One of the advantages of our premium package, Plus, is that you'll get the services of a personal one-on-one Customer Success Manager (CSM). From the moment you sign your Plus contract and sign it, your CSM is there to assist you in achieving your goals and act as your guide while you navigate the Plus platform. They will work with you to develop an elaborate implementation plan, make a timeline that is feasible, with important milestones, and then complete an assessment of your Launch Preparation to make sure you're prepared to be successful.

 16 steps to an easier LMS implementation

Making sure that you have a fresh LMS launched and ready to deliver immediate value isn't a simple task. However, it shouldn't seem overwhelming.

In a comprehensive LMS deployment plan for roll-out, you'll have everything you need to guide you through the most critical steps:

• Pre-Launch
• In Launch
• Post-Launch

 The Pre-Launch Implementation Strategy Steps

The process of mapping out an effortless LMS implementation starts when you've chosen your preferred platform and are in the phase of pre-launch. Here are the steps we suggest to get your LMS launch on the right track to success.

 1. Align your stakeholders

The alignment of your stakeholder groups is the initial step for a reason. Your stakeholder's role can make or break the success of your LMS implementation. In order to align your stakeholders, you must identify the following:

• Implementation participants (your launch team)
• Stakeholders within the company (anyone inside your business that your LMS is intended to give value to)
• Stakeholders outside of the organization (any outside parties who could affect your plans like the LMS Support team, web developers, instructors , content creators, designers, and more)

As an internal lens It's equally important to ask managers about any onboarding hiccups they have and get a solid understanding of their training and development plans.

Once you've established your stakeholder's alignment now is the time to form your team which will assist to create the structure of your desires. It's time to make certain that everyone is aware of their role. The RACI matrix is a helpful way of assigning roles by assigning who is responsible for, accountable, and consulted and informed across every stage of the project plan.

 2. Create a timeline (and follow it! )

Once you've identified your main stakeholders You're now ready to create a project timeline that works for everyone involved. One way to do this is by working backward towards the date you want to launch. Remember that date in the back of your mind as you think about each major step you'll need to accomplish to meet your deadline - and then assign your milestones and deadlines. Gantt charts provide a visual way to display your timeline, so that everyone is able to view every milestone up to the launch date.

Pro-tip: Make sure that the timelines are compatible with the schedule of everyone involved and ensure that your project isn't competing with other major initiatives that could take their focus off.

 3. Consider investing in a need for training analysis

A study of your training needs can help you comprehend the job your LMS has to perform and what gaps it needs to fill. By conducting a analysis of your training needs, you can map out what changes your students have to make to transition from the present to their desired future.

The first step is to analyze your audience's needs based on skill expectations for certain groups with an analysis of training needs. To do this, separate your internal groups into the categories listed below and identify the specific abilities or technical knowledge the person needs to excel for that particular group.

• Job Role
• Department
• Organizational Niveau

Then, you need to find the gap in the knowledge the employees already have and the ones they need to develop in order to reach the level they want or need to become. And that gap knowledge will assist you in creating the content plan to guide your LMS deployment later.

 4. Make sure your content is in one row

Now, you've formed your team, established your deadline, and identified the areas of training deficiencies the LMS should be fixing. The next step is to prepare the actual content - that can be integrated into a couple of different ways.

First, you can transfer your learning material directly into your LMS platform, allowing you to be moving more quickly. At , we have the Bulk Importer capability that enables users to upload all the audio, video, and PDF lessons using a drag and drop. This makes the course migration process much more manageable! On a Plus plan the Customer Success Manager (CSM) can provide advice on custom migration as well.

Or, you can develop your own course material completely from the ground up. If you're taking this route, we suggest starting with a content outline and integrate the fun features that the new LMS offers - such as survey, quizzes and discussion boards. However, keep in mind that this process will take time. Therefore, make sure to carve out the right amount of time in your LMS Implementation plan and schedule.

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

A LMS is a powerful learning tool if individuals are aware of how to use it. So, it is essential to make sure that your users know how to access and use the software before they can let free.

Start by briefing the new users how to sign in and use through the system in order to access their learning materials. Also, check with your managers to be sure they understand the system as well as their roles as it relates to managing it. They can also assist in the development of the team members.

Pro tip: A simple training manual and easily accessible FAQ can save you many hours of dealing with basic inquiries such as "What do I need to know about my login?" or "Which training is the best first?"

 6. Don't forget about user experience

The user experience is crucial for attracting the attention of your students and enticing them about using your new LMS. It's important to weave user experience throughout the pre-launch period so that when it comes to the time to launch, you'll know that your system is simple to use from beginning until the end.

When you're ready to test your user experience, add a beta user and assign them training content. Make sure they get the welcome email , and ensure that the email isn't spamming. Log into their account to make sure it functions according to plan and also to ensure that they have been assigned appropriate training materials.

 7. Test tests, test, and then test again

There are few things more annoying than trying to get the most out of an application, and then finding out something's not working the way you wanted it to. That's why we're convinced about the value of testing before a launch.

Don't forget to test your system's compatibility during the test mode. Try a few different web browsers such as Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.

 8. Triple-check your launch preparedness

In the final stage, you've put in the effort, dedication, and time to get your LMS on the right track you're probably eager to make it available to all the people. But, before hitting the 'go' button, it never hurts to check twice and three times your system's preparations for launch.

Download The launch preparation checklist to ensure you have everything set up before you start your brand new system.

 Implementation Methods to Follow During Your Launch

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

 9. Make a list of the content you have

With your LMS implementation already underway Now is the best time to do an assessment of the pulse of your existing content. What other content or courses will you require? Which courses are proving popular? very well and which do students struggle with?

In addition, you could take steps to elevate students' involvement in the classroom through the layering of assessments, quizzes as well as certificates that your students will be able to distribute widely.

 10. Organize your curriculum

While you hammer out your content approach, which is always a process that is ongoing It is also possible to be sure to check that your content's organization is on par with the needs of your audience.

When doing this Be sure to go over the categories and sections of your course along with the navigation. These ensure the user experience is interesting as it is informative.

 11. Individual course review

If you've had a look at the big picture, you can now focus on taking your revisions course by course.

Is your curriculum connecting to students and helping students to be successful in the ways they require? Are there prerequisites to the courses that your audience would find helpful to prepare them to be successful? Is the course's conclusion a satisfying experience? the students wanting to learn more?

These are essential guiding questions to consider when you are taking your course to the next level. This will help you ensure that your LMS consistently provides the best value.

Pro tip: On , you could allow course reviews directly within the course's curriculum. This will allow you to collect feedback from your students. You can also create an online survey type for students to inquire concerning your curriculum's material.

 12. Make student support channels active

Your attendees will want to go at their training alone. They'll be asking questions or wanting to collaborate with others taking the same course. Which is why integrating students' support channels into your curriculum is important for keeping your students involved and enthusiastic.

 These channels can be:

• Discussion forums in which students are able to post queries
• Course admins who are able to assist with any the questions
• Student community where users can be part of a team.

Learn more about improving the student experience on this page.

 13. Elevate your site branding

Customization and branding for courses is a powerful way of connecting your students to your business throughout the learning process. With the appropriate LMS software, you are able to make your courses unique by incorporating custom themes that you have created such as logos, colors and fonts, as well with custom user interfaces, navigations headings, footers, and headers which will be a hit with your students. Learn more about 's branding options here.

 14. Be in contact with your instructors and students

Keeping students engaged well after the launch is an art that takes a certain amount of resilience and plenty of support that is automated. For students in particular that aren't communicating with them, the better - that's why emails for students and drip-campaigns can be huge benefits to an LMS.

Drip-based campaigns are a popular strategy for marketing, which involves sending an enthralling number of email to students who have drifted off your classes. The logic here, to help someone regain the online learning experience after they've fallen away.

Instructors can also benefit from regular messages, specifically via notification. With , instructors can opt-in to as many communications and alerts as they like. No matter if a new lead or student signs to take a course, or there's an upcoming discussion thread - instructors will be informed at all times.

 Post-Launch Implementation Procedures

The post-launch phase of your LMS implementation project plan is a celebration! That means you've successfully pre-planned and launched your brand new platform , but the hard work isn't done yet.

 The post-launch steps to implement HTML0 will allow you to remain on top of your system so you can make the essential improvements necessary to provide excellent educational experiences online.

 15. Check system use

Exploring the system's data analytics will tell many different stories including:

• Who uses your system?
• How often they are using it
• What courses are the most popular and least?
• What your students are doing and how they are getting better in their individual courses
• You can use HTML0 to make improvements

There's more to discover through analytics and data, however, at the core of all that is the ability to be a good indicator of how successful your LMS implementation was and ways to improve the future iterations of it. Explore the capabilities of's reporting on this page.

 16. Request feedback

Though this might be the last step in your LMS design and implementation plan however, it's probably the most important for the long-term development of your program and online learning programs. Getting direct feedback from the users of your system will help you understand precisely what's working and what's not, and where you can make improvements.

Whichever method you use make sure you ask. That way, you are aware of how others perceive your product and what value it can bring to people.

 Conclusion

As of now, I'm sure that you're aware of what it takes for an efficient LMS implementation project plan that adds true worth to your company. If you have a thorough strategy, the appropriate team and the most appropriate platform, you'll be ready within a matter of minutes to implement an LMS that takes the users you want and your company to in the position it needs to be.