How Long Does it Take to Implement a Learning Management System?

Implement a Learning Management System

LMS implementation is an intricate process that involves a team of people. The project manager must keep the team focused and avoid cost overruns and scope creep. He or she should designate a single point of contact for the LMS and any other vendors. If the team works in silos, the implementation may take longer than expected.

In some cases, it may take a full six to twelve months to implement a LMS. However, it can take anywhere from three to nine months to implement a vendor-hosted solution. The time frame will vary depending on the organization’s needs and the complexity of the LMS. Regardless of the length of time, proper communication is key during the integration process.

In addition to choosing a vendor that offers flexible implementation packages, it is important to create a team of people that will be responsible for the implementation process. This team should be composed of people from various departments. The team must be aware of the goals of the organization, the role each person plays within the project, and the timeline for each milestone.

The implementation of a learning management system should be a seamless integration that matches the objectives of the organization. Having a clear timetable and milestones for the implementation process helps avoid the project from getting derailed. The timeframe also helps set expectations, so that no one gets disappointed or swayed by the pressure of outside forces.

Some LMS products allow you to create audience groups based on user profiles. For example, you can create a group that includes people in the northeast region who work in sales. If you want to create courses for specific audiences, you can create audiences that match these profile groups. This way, the training will be self-organizing.

How Long Does it Take to Implement a Learning Management System?

The implementation process is challenging. Not only must you decide on the right LMS for your company, but you must then set it up and refine it. This is the most time-consuming part of the process. Creating courses requires technical expertise as well as creativity. Without a proper LMS, these courses would be meaningless.

The first step in a successful LMS implementation is to make a plan. You should establish a team for the implementation, which should be made up of a core team and an extended team. The core team should consist of decision makers who are responsible for carving out a plan, opening channels of communication, and keeping all the moving parts on track.

The next step is to determine the purpose of the implementation. For example, if the training is for compliance purposes, your organization will probably have a hard roll-out date. If your organization is planning on a more relaxed timetable, you can choose a soft roll-out date, but make sure there is a clearly defined goal. The last step in the implementation process is to train the users. A communication plan should be put in place to inform users of updates and other important details.

A quality LMS will also give you the flexibility to add new content whenever you like. Before going live with the LMS, you may want to add a few essential courses or resources. To do this, you should check the content management capabilities of your LMS. Depending on the LMS you select, this may require a little tweaking.