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Your Must-Have LMS Implementation Guide (with printable checklist) (PDF)

Mar 30, 2022

Online and e-learning have taken off as students are preparing for the long-term benefits of remote-based work and remote learning settings. Businesses are investing in digital education tools and platforms like never before.

JPMorgan Chase is planning to spend $600 million to upskill its workforce. Amazon is investing over $700 million to provide upskilling training to their employees. Additionally, PwC is spending $3 billion to upskill all employees for the next three to four years.

If you're looking into a new, more flexible learn management software (LMS) that can provide engaging learning experiences, you'll require an LMS Implementation Plan that helps you build the foundation, start, and sustain a successful platform.

 In this article will teach you everything you need to know in order to make a more efficient LMS Implementation plan. like:

  • A brief reminder of what a learning management system does.
  • How to select the right device for your business (with the guide that you can download! )
  • Benefits of an LMS Implementation project plan
  • Before, during, and post-launch actions for the LMS deployment (with the launch-related checklist! )

 What's a learning management program (LMS)?

LMS' can be powerful instruments when properly used. A LMS can be described as an online learning tool that lets trainers create, upload and manage, disperse, and keep track of their online training initiatives in one place. LMS typically employed for customer, employee, or channel partner training and for continuous learning as well as lead generation.

 Selecting the best fit LMS to your company

 If you are looking to find LMS partners, be sure to ask these concerns:

  • Does this tool meet our technical needs?
  • Does it have enough flexibility to satisfy our requirements?
  • How crucial will customer success be?
  • Does it grow as we grow?
  • Provides an experience that our students require?

 Benefits of an LMS implementation project plan

Picking the right LMS is an accomplishment on its own. It takes time, diligence, and many different meetings with the vendor to find a system that is the best fit to your business's requirements. When you've got the LMS chosen it's a given that you'll need to see ROI as quickly as possible by implementing your thorough LMS implementation project plan.

 Here are some benefits to creating a project program that can get the system operating quickly

  • Reduces time. If you have a well-planned implementation strategy, you'll be able to get your new system active more quickly than if you just wing it following the purchase. You'll be able to save time and , most likely, lots of headaches.
  • It allows for a smooth Implementation that is seamless. In mapping out your steps for a solid implementation, you're already on the path to the success you want to achieve. With a detailed strategy, you'll have a clear picture for all the elements necessary to make as smooth an implementation as possible - for you and your customers.
  • It is easier to generate returns. IBM uncovered a $30 return for every $1 spent on e-learning. However small or large, businesses will be looking to quickly realize the benefits of their LMS purchase. One of the most efficient ways to do this is to use a the right implementation strategy that provides immediate benefits to customers.

Pro tip: One of the advantages of our premium plan, Plus, you'll get the services of a individualized Customer Success Manager (CSM). As soon as you take out your Plus contract and sign it, your CSM will assist you to help you achieve your goals and act as your guide as you explore your way through Plus platform. They will work with you to develop an outline of your implementation plan. develop a realistic timeline that includes crucial milestones and an assessment of your Launch Preparation to make sure you're prepared for success.

 16 steps to an easier LMS implementation

Making sure that you have a fresh LMS up and running to deliver immediate value is no easy deed. But it doesn't have to be overwhelming either.

In a comprehensive LMS rolling-out strategy, you'll have everything you need to guide you through the crucial steps:

  • Pre-Launch
  • During the launch
  • Post-Launch

 Pre-Launch Implementation Steps

Mapping out a seamless LMS implementation starts as soon as you've selected the platform you want to use and entered your phase of pre-launch. Following are some of our suggestions in getting your LMS implementation on the right track to success.

 1. Make sure you align your stakeholder

The alignment of your stakeholder groups is the initial step to have a purpose. Your stakeholder's role could determine the success of your LMS implementation. In order to align your stakeholders, it's important to identify:

  • Implementation participants (your launch team)
  • Stakeholders within the company (anyone inside your business that your LMS is designed to offer benefit to)
  • External stakeholders (any outside parties who could have an impact on your strategy for example, the LMS Support team, web developers, instructors or designers, content creators and many more)

As an internal lens It's equally important to probe managers for any onboarding hiccups they have and gain a thorough knowledge of their learning and development objectives.

After you've identified your key stakeholders, you're ready to build your team to help in the creation of the system of your desires. It's time to make sure that everyone understands their role. The RACI matrix can be a useful method of assigning roles, by delineating who is accountable, accountable, consulted, and kept informed throughout the entire process of the plan.

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

After identifying your key stakeholders You're now ready to create an effective project timetable that is beneficial for all those involved. One way to do this is by working backward from your desired launch date. Make that date a priority in your mind while also thinking through and outlining every major milestone you'll need to accomplish to finish your project on time - and then assign your milestones to be completed by a date. Gantt charts provide a visual method of displaying your timeline, so that everyone is able to be aware of every milestone until the date of launch.

Pro-tip: Make sure the timelines work for everybody's schedule, and also make sure your initiative isn't in competition with major projects which could divert their attention off.

 3. Consider investing in a need for training analysis

A training needs analysis helps you to understand the work your LMS must perform - and what gaps it needs to address. With a training needs analysis, you can map out the transformation your students need in order to shift from their current reality toward their future goals.

First, you must assess your audience's specific needs according to expectations regarding skills specific to certain groups using a training needs analysis. To do this, you should divide your internal groupings by the categories below and identify the specific abilities or the technical expertise the person needs to excel for that particular group.

  • Job Role
  • Department
  • Organizational Niveau

You must find the gap between the skills the employees already have and the ones they require to acquire to get to where they want or need to be. And that gap knowledge can help you develop the content plan for your LMS introduction later.

 4. Put your content in a row

Now, you've formed your team, established the deadline and determined the training gaps the LMS is meant to correct. The next step is to prepare the content itself - that could be implemented in a couple of different ways.

In the beginning, you are able to upload your current learning materials directly to your LMS platform, allowing you to be started quicker. Here at, we offer the Bulk Importer feature that allows users to upload all the audio, video or PDF content using a drag and drop. This will make the migration procedure much less stressful! With a Plus subscription your Customer Success Manager (CSM) will be able to assist you with customized migrations as well.

It is also possible to create the course's content entirely from beginning from scratch. If you're considering this option it is recommended to start with an outline of your content and integrate the fun features that your brand-new LMS includes - for example, quizzes, surveys, and discussions boards. However, keep in mind that this process will take time. Therefore, make sure to carve out sufficient commitment to time within your LMS implementation project plan and schedule.

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

An LMS can be an effective learning tool when people know how to use the system. So, it's crucial to make sure your users know how to access and use the system before letting them play.

Make sure you instruct the new users how to log in and navigate the system for access to their learning materials. Also, double-check with managers to make certain they are aware of the program and what they are expected to do as it relates to managing it. They can also help develop their group members.

Pro Tip: A simple guide to training and an easy-to-access FAQ will save you many hours of answering basic questions like "What is my login?" or "Which training should I start with?"

 6. Don't forget about the user experience

Experience with users is vital in grabbing your students' interest and getting them excited about using your new LMS. It's important to weave your user experience through the pre-launch stage so that at your launch date, you are confident that your platform is easy to use from beginning until the end.

Once you're prepared to test your users' experience, you can add the beta users and provide them training content. Check to see if they received the welcome email , and ensure that they don't receive any spam. Log in as them to verify that everything works according to plan and also to ensure that they have been assigned the right training material.

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

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get the most out of a system, only to find out that there's a problem with the way you wanted it to. That's why we believe in the power of testing prior to launching.

Do not forget to check the compatibility of your device while you're in the test mode. Test a variety of web browsers such as Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

 8. Make sure you are prepared for your launch.

This is the last step you've invested the effort commitment, time, and effort to make sure that you get your LMS on the right track You're likely eager to get it out to all the people. However, prior to pressing the "Go" button, it never hurts to check twice and three times your system's preparations for launch.

Download Launch preparedness checklist for making sure you've got everything you need to launch your new system.

 The Implementation Processes You Need to Take In Your Launch

After your LMS is officially in operation, there are a number of steps you can take to maintain your system, so it can perform to the best of its abilities.

 9. Make a list of the content you have

With your LMS deployment already under way Now is the best right time to run an assessment of the pulse of your existing content. What other courses or content will you require? What classes are doing well, and which ones do students struggle with?

In addition, you could enhance the level of engagement in your classes by layering 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 You can also make sure that your content's structure aligns with the needs of your audience.

While doing this, remember to review your courses' categories and sections and navigation. These ensure the user experience is informative as it is engaging.

 11. Review of individual courses

After taking a look at the bigger picture, it is now time to concentrate on completing your revisions through the course.

Does your course content connect students with them and providing students to be successful in the ways they require? Are there any prerequisites to the courses your audiences might find beneficial in preparing them to be successful? Do the courses' completion leaves them wanting more?

These are essential guidelines to think about when you are taking your course up a level and ensure your LMS consistently offers worth.

Pro suggestion: On , you could make course reviews available directly inside your course curriculum to easily capture your students' feedback. Also, you can develop the form of a survey to ask specific questions concerning your curriculum's material.

 12. Make student support channels active

Your audience members are going to be able to attend your training on their own. They'll be asking questions or wanting to work with other students taking the same class. That's why including the channels for student support throughout your course is essential for keeping your students involved and inspired.

 Those channels could be:

Learn more about improving the experience of students here.

 13. Enhance the brand image of your website

The branding of your course and the customization options are excellent tools to connect your students to your business through every stage of the learning experience. With the appropriate LMS software, you are able to customize your course using the themes of your choice, logos, colors, and fonts, aswell with custom interfaces, navigation as well as headers and footers that resonate with your students. Discover more information about the branding choices here.

 14. Communicate with your instructors and students

Making sure that students are engaged after your launch is a skill that requires a little bit of perseverance and lots of automated support. Particularly with students that aren't communicating with students, the better that's why emails for students as well as drip campaigns are significant benefits for any LMS.

Drip-based campaigns are a popular method of marketing that requires sending a staggering series of emails to students who have drifted away from your courses. This is a way to help someone regain their online education experience when they've dropped off.

Instructors also gain from frequent communication, specifically through notifications. With , instructors can opt-in to as many messages and notifications as they want. Whatever happens, whether a brand leader or new student sign to take a course, or if there's a brand new discussion thread - instructors is informed in all time.

 Post-Launch Implementation Steps

Moving into the post-launch stage of your LMS Implementation plan is an occasion to celebrate! That means you've successfully pre-planned and launched your brand new platform - but the work isn't done yet.

 Implementation steps after launch will help you keep at the top of your game to make the necessary improvements that create stellar learning experiences on the internet.

 15. Check system use

Examining the system's data analytics will tell you all kinds of stories, such as:

  • Who's using your system
  • How often are they employing it?
  • What courses are the most and least popular
  • How your students and developing within your individual classes
  • The place where you can make improvements

There's a lot more you can discover with data and analytics, but at the heart of all that is the ability to also tell you how successful your LMS implementation went and how you can improve subsequent versions of the system. Explore the capabilities of's reporting here.

 16. Ask for feedback

Though this might be the last step in the LMS planning for implementation however, it's probably one of the most crucial for the ongoing performance of your system as well as the online learning program. Getting direct feedback by your users on your system can enable you to know exactly what's working, the areas where it's not working, and how it's possible to make changes.

Whichever method you use, just remember to ask. So, you'll know exactly how people perceive your product and what value it can bring to people.

 Conclusion

At this point, I'm hoping that you're aware of how to develop an efficient LMS implementation project plan which will add value to your business. By having a clear strategy, the appropriate team, and the best-fit technology, you'll have everything soon enough to go live with an LMS that takes your customers and the company where it wants to be.