LMS evaluation checklist to compare and select the ideal learning management system for your organization's unique needs and objectives.
The jury is in, and there’s no doubt that learning management systems (LMSs) are the wave of the future for online businesses, providing benefits like lead generation, customer education, scalability and efficiency.
If you need further proof of the popularity of LMS systems, how about this? The global market for this type of software is projected to skyrocket from $13.4 billion in 2020 to $25.7 billion by 2025. This means the market will increase by an impressive 14% yearly.
But not all learning management systems are created equal – so how do you evaluate which one is the right fit for your business? The answer lies in using an LMS evaluation checklist to assess each system’s features and determine its suitability for your objectives.
In this article, we’ll define what an LMS evaluation checklist is, explain why it’s crucial to have one when assessing learning management systems, discuss the critical components of a good list, and provide access to Thinkific’s own LMS evaluation checklist so you can get started.
With this valuable tool, you’ll be able to assess the features of each system and make an informed decision on which one is the right fit for your business objectives. So let’s dive in!
What you’ll find in this article:
First things first. What exactly is an LMS evaluation checklist? Basically, it’s a document that helps you evaluate different learning management systems when selecting one for your organization or business. Its job is to make sure you consider all the crucial factors and decide which system best meets your needs.
Now let’s discuss why checklists are essential when choosing an LMS. Just like any other type of purchase, it pays to do your homework before investing in a new system, and this is where a handy and thorough checklist can help.
Using a list, you can systematically compare different options against each other based on various criteria, such as features, functionality, pricing, and customer support. In other words, it’s like having an expert who can guide you through selecting the best LMS for your organization or business.
But that’s not all. An LMS evaluation checklist also has many other benefits. For example, it helps to ensure that no important features are overlooked and that you make decisions based on facts rather than assumptions. It also helps to save time by providing a clear list of criteria against which different systems can be compared quickly and easily.
Finally, using a checklist ensures consistency in the selection process, so there is less risk of costly mistakes due to human error. Ultimately, using an LMS checklist helps to save you time and money by ensuring your selection process is as stress-free as possible.
Key Components of an LMS Evaluation ChecklistJust like all LMSs aren’t created equal, neither are all LMS evaluation checklists. If you want to systematically cover all your bases, you’ll hit a home run using a template with these critical components. Step up to bat, and we’ll pitch you the essential features to look for in your next LMS.
An LMS wouldn’t be much good if it didn’t allow you to create and manage content efficiently. This makes it doubly important you use an evaluation checklist that takes these core features and functions into account:
By ensuring your LMS of choice ticks all the boxes in terms of features, functionality, and user management, you can be confident that it will be an effective platform for delivering course content.
While it might be boring to consider the technical requirements you need to compare between your LMS candidates, picking an LMS that increases your revenue and educates your customers is anything but boring.
Here are some of the – potentially exciting tech-related checklist components to look for:
Choosing an LMS evaluation criteria checklist with a section including these requirements will let you rest easier knowing you’ve considered these critical technical aspects.
You want your users to have a great time navigating and accessing your content, so it’s essential to consider some features that can make or break their experience. Here are some checklists for user experience you should keep in mind when selecting an LMS evaluation tool:
To ensure your future LMS delivers an intuitive and accessible user experience for prospective customers, your checklist must include these components.
It’s not enough for an LMS to be good in isolation – it must fit into your existing technology stack. That’s why integration and compatibility are vital components of any practical LMS evaluation checklist. Here are some features you should consider:
Integration and compatibility are essential for a successful learning management system, so include these features on your LMS evaluation checklist.
Introducing vendor support and services into the LMS checklist is another prerequisite for successfully implementing an LMS. The last thing you want is to be left hanging as you frantically troubleshoot a problem you can’t fix.
Vendor support and services should include the following:
Including vendor support and services in your LMS evaluation checklist will ensure you have access to the best possible resources for implementing, managing and troubleshooting your new learning management system.
Introducing pricing and budget into your LMS evaluation checklist is like taking a sip of water before running a race: it’s essential for success. When choosing an LMS, there are several vital points to consider regarding pricing and budgeting, such as the following:
Be sure to break down each of these models to decide which will fit best with your organization’s budget constraints.
With pricing and budget top of mind when evaluating an LMS solution, you can ensure your organization gets the most bang for its buck!
When selecting a learning management system (LMS) for your organization, evaluating the various options available can be overwhelming. But using an LMS evaluation checklist can help you ensure that no vital criteria are overlooked and that your organization gets the best LMS possible.
Here are some tips for making the most out of a checklist when evaluating potential systems:
Before you begin going through any checklists or comparing different systems, take some time to think about what specific needs your organization has for its learning materials and training needs. Is it essential to be easily accessible to a wide range of users? Do you need features that support collaborative learning? Consider your organization’s unique objectives and goals, then create an evaluation checklist tailored to those needs.
Don’t try to tackle this process alone; make sure all key stakeholders are involved in the decision-making process. This can include members from IT, HR, Accounting or any other departments with a vested interest in the LMS selection. Each individual will bring insights into essential features and how they should be weighted.
When creating your evaluation checklist, assign numerical scores to each criterion to indicate its importance relative to other factors. This will help you better compare different LMS systems and create an overall score that can be used to make a decision.
Don’t just rely on what’s written on paper; ask vendors for product demos or trials so you can get hands-on experience with the system. This will allow you to test features, check usability, and evaluate user experiences — all essential when selecting an LMS.
A well-crafted LMS evaluation checklist can make selecting a new system much easier and more efficient. So if you’re ready to start, keep reading to learn about our ready-to-go LMS evaluation checklist!
Download Our Comprehensive LMS Evaluation ChecklistOur downloadable LMS Evaluation Checklist is the perfect tool to help you decide on the ideal learning management system. Packed with comprehensive and user-friendly features, this template will equip you with all the information you need to compare different platforms.
Quickly assess key areas like user, course and content management, assessment and reporting, integrations and more – plus prioritize requirements according to your needs. With our template in hand, finding the ideal LMS for your organization’s training needs will be easier than ever.
Download our free, comprehensive LMS Evaluation Checklist toda y and get expert-approved advice on how to prioritize requirements and compare different platforms.
An LMS evaluation checklist is a tool used to compare different learning management systems to find the best fit for your organization. It should include important criteria for you and your team to assess which platform will most effectively meet your needs. The checklist typically includes features, cost, user interface, scalability, mobile access, other applications and services, integrations, customer support options, and more.
When using an LMS evaluation checklist, understand your organization’s needs and goals. Consider what features you want to see in a potential platform, such as scalability, user accessibility, and security. Once you have the criteria outlined, use the checklist to compare different systems against each other. Make sure that all of the necessary components are included for each platform to compare them accurately. Finally, use your judgment to choose which solution best meets your requirements and budget.
To prioritize features and functionality when evaluating LMS options, consider the objectives of using a learning management system first. Consider how you will use the system, who will use it, and what content you plan to deliver. Next, create a list of must-have features and rank them in order of priority. This should include both functional requirements as well as user experience elements. Don’t forget any unique use cases that might require specific tools. Finally, prioritize features and functionalities based on your available resources, such as budget, time, or staff.
When evaluating the user experience of an LMS, it’s essential to consider factors such as ease of navigation, how quickly learners can find what they are looking for, the clarity and quality of instruction/content provided, and whether additional support is available. It’s equally important to assess the overall aesthetics of the platform – does it look modern and have good visual appeal? Finally, you should also take into account other features like automated grading or reporting capabilities that may be beneficial for learners.
Using an LMS evaluation checklist can help streamline the selection process by providing a set of criteria specific to your organization’s needs. It will allow you to easily compare potential solutions and quickly identify the best fit for your organization, saving time and effort in the long run. An LMS evaluation checklist also sets clear expectations of each solution and what features should be included, ensuring that all necessary elements are considered during the selection process.
Daniela Ochoa is the go-to Content Marketing Specialist at Thinkific Plus. With years of experience in marketing and communications, she is passionate about helping businesses grow through strategic customer education, content marketing, and online learning at scale.
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