Is there a best LMS selection process?
I wish I could say yes but the answer is certainly no. Identified requirements can affect the process as well as a company’s culture. Unfortunately time restraints are often also a consideration.
I recently read a blog entry by Bryan Chapman that helps illustrate this point. How long does it take to select an LMS? I’m a fan of Bryans and recommend that any Training/Learning Professional subscribe to his blog. He’s associated with Brandon Hall long known for quality products.
Bryan’s process could easily be perfect for many companies. He suggests that it can be done in 2 1/2 months and as long as the wheels don’t fall off the process I agree. When I speak on this subject, and as a long time PM I’d tell my stakeholders ninety days. I think how he positions RFP development is excellent.
In June I’m conducting a workshop at the 2009 SITE Annual Conference on this subject. I’ll present a somewhat different process that like Bryans could be perfect for many companies.
One difference is that I’m a big believer in sandboxes as part of the selection process. I especially like simultaneous sandboxes. Bryan mentions sandboxes briefly at the end of his Step #5 and not at all in his timeline. I think sandboxes deserve more prominence in the selection process. There’s nothing like actually experiencing the application. Like Bryan’s scripted demos, I think scripted sandboxes are the way to go. If you can make it happen, getting the stakeholders into the sandboxes is fantastic. I’ve found that they gain a comfort level with the applications and as a result, add a valuable dimension to the selection process.
I’d welcome any comments from interested readers