311 Tips for the Successful Management of an LMS or LCMS |
Make sure you identify the roles needed for LMS management and get the right people assigned up front so they can be part of the implementation. Gillian Jeffy-Anderson, e-Learning Specialist, Allianz Life
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VII. Tips for Managing Staffing in Support of an LMS or LCMS continued Get a divorce ahead of time (Just kidding). Let’s see ... this is just one part, not a big-picture answer. I have learned that you may need a Learning Manager (or supervisor) to interface between learners and their supervisors. That is, someone in the trenches to help with individualized learning plans, consistency of information (learning objectives!) in the catalogue listings, overseeing the completion of meaningful evaluations, someone to answer learners’ questions, etc. The managers’ use and input is very important but if implementation or success relies on their consistent and in-depth communication on behalf of or with the learner, you are expecting too much of their very important involvement. — 241 Have one person dedicated to keeping the LMS updated. — 252 I’m not sure, but I think two of the most important issues are the manager’s understanding and expertise with the system and his/her ability to speak to non-specialists with minimal jargon. If those who manage the system don’t understand it, you’re in deep trouble. If they can’t communicate with others, the trouble gets a lot deeper. Competencies for the manager would need to include ISD/education understanding, technical understanding, and people understanding. — 185 Form a team that is (a) committed to working together, (b) has open lines of communication, and (c) doesn’t have competing political battles. — 289 Hire/train competent individuals with the necessary skills. Hopefully, these individuals will already be in place. — 17 Have a dedicated individual who can effectively coordinate with IT, e-Learning designers and developers, and SMEs. Management of a LMS system is a full time project manager position, not a task for multi-individuals to tackle. — 17 Engage the best project manager you can from a vendor who has proven expertise and experience in LMS implementation. — 17
VIII. Tips for System Maintenance for an LMS or LCMS Ensure that there is no outdated information on the LMS/LCMS. Back up and archive data regularly. — 94 Keep the data updated. As soon as data becomes outdated, the LMS loses its ability to be utilized as a successful learning tool. — 285 Improve the interface to make content the focus, and not the features — 44 Get your CBT Admin networking with the technicians that will install the LMS/LCMS from day one. Have them married at the hip if need be to ensure that your in-house technician knows all the ins and out of installing, setup, and aligning the system. — 192