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It's a must-have LMS Implementation Guide (with printable checklist) -

Mar 30, 2022

Online and e-learning have taken off as students are preparing for the long haul of remote working and distance learning environments. Which means businesses are investing in digital education tools and platforms like never before.

JPMorgan Chase is planning to invest $600 million in enhancing the skills of the workforce of its company. Amazon is investing over 700 million dollars to offer the necessary training for their workers. In addition, PwC is spending $3 billion to train all its employees for the next three or four years.

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

 In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know in order to make a more efficient LMS Implementation plan. like:

  • A quick refresher of what a management system does.
  • What is the best software for your company (with an online guide! )
  • The benefits of having an LMS Plan of implementation
  • Before, during, and post-launch actions to prepare for your LMS launch (with an online launch preparation checklist! )

 What is a Learning Management System (LMS)?

They are effective devices when they are used properly. They are an e-learning tool that helps trainers to create, upload and manage, disperse, and track their online training initiatives in one place. LMS' are most frequently utilized for customer or channel partner training, as well as continuous learning as well as lead generation.

 Selecting the most suitable LMS for your needs

 If you are looking for LMS partners, be sure to ask these questions:

  • Will this tool be able to handle our technical requirements?
  • Is it flexible enough to satisfy our requirements?
  • How important will the success of the customer be?
  • Does it grow with our growth?
  • Provides users with the experience students require?

 Benefits of an LMS implementation project plan

Picking the right LMS is an accomplishment by itself. It takes time, dedication, and many different meetings with the vendor to find one that's the best fit to your business's requirements. Once you have selected your LMS chosen, there's no question you'll want to deliver the most efficient ROI possible by implementing your thorough LMS implementation project plan.

 Here are some advantages of creating a strategy that will get the system operating quickly

  • It will save you time. When you implement a sound plan, you'll get your system up and running more quickly than if you just wing it after your purchase. You'll be able to save time and likely, a lot of hassles.
  • Creates a seamless implementation. By laying out the steps to make sure you have a successful implementation you're already on your way towards success. With a detailed plan, you can account for all the elements necessary to make as smooth an implementation as possible for both the users you serve.
  • It is easier to generate returns. IBM uncovered a $30 return for every $1 spent in e-learning. However small or big, companies are looking to swiftly realize the benefits of their LMS purchase. One of the most efficient ways to do this is to use a an approach to implementation that is well thought out and creates immediate value for customers.

Pro tip: One of the benefits of our top-tier planis that you get the services of a personal one-on-one Customer Success Manager (CSM). When you have signed the Plus contract the CSM is there to support your business objectives and serve as your guide as you explore your way through Plus platform. This includes working with you to build a detailed implementation plan, create a feasible timeline with important milestones, and then complete an assessment of your Launch Preparation to ensure you're set up to be successful.

 16 steps for an efficient LMS implementation

Making sure that you have a fresh LMS up and running to deliver immediate value isn't a simple task. It doesn't need to become overwhelming.

With a detailed LMS deployment plan for roll-out You'll be equipped with everything you need to guide you through the most critical stages:

  • Pre-Launch
  • During Launch
  • Post-Launch

 Pre-Launch Implementation Steps

A seamless LMS installation begins as soon as you've selected 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

Affiliating with your key stakeholders is the primary step for a reason. Your stakeholder's role can make or break your successful LMS implementation. If you are trying to align your stakeholders it's important to identify:

  • Implementation users (your launch team)
  • Stakeholders within the company (anyone within your company the LMS is intended to give value to)
  • Stakeholders outside of the organization (any other external party that might influence your plan for example, the LMS support team Web instructors, developers or content creators, designers, and more)

from an internal perspective It's equally important to probe managers for any onboarding hiccups they have and get a solid comprehension of their education 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. You can start by making sure everyone knows their roles. The RACI matrix can be a useful method of assigning roles, by defining who is responsible, accountable, consulted, and kept informed throughout the entire process of the planning process.

 2. Create a timeline (and live by it! )

Once you've identified your main stakeholders, you're ready to set an effective project timetable that is beneficial for everyone. A way to achieve this is to start working backward from the launch date you'd like to set. Remember that date in mind while also thinking through and outlining every major milestone that you'll have to complete to finish your project on time and assign the milestones with a deadline. Gantt charts provide a visual approach to show your timeline, so that everyone is able to view every milestone prior to your launch date.

Pro-tip: Make sure your timelines fit into everyone's schedule and make sure your initiative isn't being a part of other initiatives which may take their attention away.

 3. Invest in a training needs analysis

An analysis of training requirements helps you to understand the job your LMS must perform - and the gaps that it requires to fill. By conducting a analysis of your training needs, you can map out the changes your students will need in order to shift from the present to their desired future.

The first step is to determine the needs of your target audience in relation to the expectations of skill for certain groups with a training needs analysis. For this, you should 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 determine the gap in the knowledge that your employees have currently and those they will require to acquire for them to be where they need or want to be. This knowledge of gaps will assist you in creating an outline of content for your LMS deployment later.

 4. Get your content ducks in one row

At this point, you've established your team, set your deadline, and identified the areas of training deficiencies your LMS will be able to fix. You're now ready to create the actual content - which can be integrated in a couple of different ways.

In the beginning, you are able to import your existing learning content directly into your LMS platform in order to get it up and running faster. Here at, we offer the Bulk Importer feature that allows users to upload all your course's video, audio as well as PDF lesson plans with a simple drag and drop. This makes the course migration procedure much less stressful! If you have a Plus plan the Customer Success Manager (CSM) will be able to assist you with custom migration as well.

You can also create your own course material completely from beginning from scratch. If you're taking this route, we suggest starting by creating a plan of content, and then incorporate the interactive features the new LMS offers - such as survey, quizzes and discussion boards. But remember, this process is time-consuming, so be sure to include enough time in your LMS design and implementation plan as well as timetable.

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

An LMS is a powerful learning tool if people know how to use it. So, it's important to ensure your users know how to access and use the software before they can let free.

Make sure you instruct new users on how to sign in and use through the system in order to access their learning materials. Also, check with your managers to be sure that they know about the system as well as their roles as it relates to managing it. They can also help develop their team members.

Pro Tip: A simple guide to training and an easy-to-access FAQs can help you save lots of time in dealing with basic inquiries such as "What do I need to know about my login?" or "Which training should I start with?"

 6. Don't forget about your user experience

User experience is essential in grabbing your students' attention and getting them excited to try your brand new LMS. It's important to weave user experience throughout the pre-launch phase so that, at launch time, you know your system is simple to use from beginning until the end.

When you're ready to test the user experience of your customers, sign up an anonymous user to your database and give them training content. Check to see if they received the welcome email , and ensure that they don't receive any spam. Log into their account to ensure that it works exactly as you expect and ensure you've assigned them the correct training content.

 7. Test tests, test, and then repeat the test

Few things are more frustrating than trying to get the most out of an application, only to find out that there's a problem with the way you wanted it. This is the reason we are convinced of the importance to test before the launch.

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

 8. Make sure you are prepared for your launch.

This is the last step you've put in the effort, dedication, and time to make sure that you get your LMS off the ground successfully you're probably eager to introduce it to all the people. Before hitting the 'go' button, you shouldn't hesitate to check twice and three times your system's preparedness for its launch.

Download Launch preparedness checklist to ensure you have everything you need to start your brand new system.

 The Implementation Processes You Need to Take During Your Launch

Now that your LMS has officially been launched, there are several actions you can follow to ensure that your system is maintained so it is performing to the highest potential.

 9. Review your content

With your LMS installation already in progress, now is the right time to run an audit of your existing content. What additional content or courses do you need? What classes are doing well, and which ones do students struggle with?

Additionally, you can make steps to increase the level of engagement in your classes by layering quizzes, evaluations, and certificates your students are able to share widely.

 10. Organize your curriculum

While you work on your content plan that is an ongoing process, you can also be sure to check that the structure of your content is on par with your audiences' needs.

When doing this Be sure to go over your courses' categories and sections, as well as navigation. These ensure the user experience is instructive as it is enjoyable.

 11. A review of the individual course

If you've had a look at the big picture, it is now time to concentrate on your course of revisions by course.

Does your course content connect students with them and providing them the way they need? Are there prerequisites to the classes your students might find beneficial to prepare them for success? Is the course's conclusion a satisfying experience? the students wanting to learn more?

These are critical guidelines to think about as you take your courses higher and make sure your LMS always delivers the best value.

Pro Tip: On , you can enable course reviews directly within your curriculum in order to gather feedback from students. Or develop a survey lesson type for students to inquire concerning your curriculum's material.

 12. Activate student support channels

Not all of your participants will be able to attend their training alone. They'll be asking questions or wanting to work with other students taking similar courses. Which is why integrating students' support channels into your curriculum is important for keeping students engaged and motivated.

 These channels can be:

Discover more ways to enhance the student experience on this page.

 13. Elevate your site branding

Customization and branding for courses are excellent tools to connect your students with your company throughout the learning process. And, with the right LMS program, you'll be able to personalize your course with the themes of your choice, logos, colors, and fonts as well as customized interfaces, navigation, headers, and footers that will resonate with your students. Find out more about the branding options here.

 14. Communicate with your instructors and students

Keeping students engaged well after your event is a skill that requires a little bit of resilience and plenty of support that is automated. Particularly with students who are not communicating with students, the better that's why emails for students and drip campaigns can are significant benefits for any LMS.

Drip campaigns are an effective method of marketing that requires sending out a flurry of emails to students who have drifted away from the courses. It is the reason, in this case, to re-engage someone with their online education experience when they've fallen off.

Instructors can also benefit from regular messages, specifically via notifications. Instructors can subscribe to as many communication and notifications as they want. Whatever happens, whether a brand leader or new student sign to take a course, or there's an upcoming discussion thread - instructors can stay in the know at all times.

 Post-Launch Implementation Methods

The post-launch phase of your LMS planning for implementation is an occasion to celebrate! That means you've successfully pre-planned and launched your brand new system - however, the process isn't done yet.

 Implementation steps after launch will allow you to remain in the loop with your system so you can make the necessary improvements that create stellar online education experiences.

 15. Check system use

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

  • Who's using your system?
  • What is the frequency they're using it
  • Which courses are most popular and least?
  • What your students are doing and how they are progressing within individual courses
  • The place where you can enhance your web page

There's a lot more you can discover with data and analytics, however, at the core of this is that it will reveal how effective your LMS implementation went and what you could do to improve it in future iterations of the system. Explore the capabilities of's reporting by clicking here.

 16. Ask for feedback

Though this might be the final step of the LMS planning for implementation but it's certainly essential for the long-term performance of your system as well as the online learning programs. Getting direct feedback from your system's users will help you understand exactly what's working, what's not, and where you can make improvements.

Whatever method you choose be sure to inquire. That way, you can determine exactly what people think of the system you have created and what value it can bring to people.

 Conclusion

By now, I hope you've a clear understanding of what it takes for an efficient LMS implementation project plan which will add value to your business. By having a clear plan, the proper team, and the right technology, you'll have everything soon enough to go live with a system that gets your users and company in the position it needs to be.