Six pitfalls to avoid while investing in custom eLearning software
Planning to install custom eLearning software? Discover six pitfalls you need to avoid.
Implementing the right learning management system with customization abilities will assist your organization in developing a culture of constant learning, facilitating behavior change, and driving business impact.
However, if your eLearning software is not a good fit, it could be a major error that can cost you years of missed learning opportunities (and wasted money, of course).
To make your final decision more quickly and simply, you may be tempted to select a popular and inexpensive option without first ensuring that it meets your learning needs. However, this is one of the most common mistakes you can make when investing in novel custom eLearning software. A learning platform is a large investment that necessitates money, time, and thought.
Through this blog, we’ll glance at the most common pitfalls people make when investing in new eLearning software and offer advice on how to avoid them. So, let’s get started and dig deeper into the pitfalls.
1) Leaving necessary custom eLearning software features undefined
One of the most common mistakes an organization can make when choosing a new learning software is failing to recognize the important features.
While eLearning software and its features may appear to be excellent on paper, they are useless if they are unsuitable for the needs of your organization. Features that have no purpose may even impede the learning process by making it difficult for learners to use the software.
After conducting requirement analysis, you should be able to determine which areas of your organization’s learning efforts can most significantly improve. You can use this information to fine-tune your approach and determine which features and tools are required to achieve specific objectives.
2) Inadequate future planning
Businesses evolve and grow. This influences the training needs, requiring them to change with this growth. Learning programs that were efficient ten years ago might no longer be suitable for your needs today. And, as we all know, purchasing software requires a significant amount of time and effort. Not to forget the complex process of implementation. As a result, you’ll need to find a long-lasting solution.
Unfortunately, some organizations fail to consider future training plans or even the scalability of their chosen learning software. You should not proceed with the new software if you are not self-assured that it will satisfy your future requirement. It is highly suggested to look for software that will meet your requirement both now and for years to come.
To accomplish this, your new custom eLearning software should be scalable, allowing it to grow and evolve alongside your organization. You should be aware that the expected growth rate of your organization, staff size, online training requirement, and advancements in technology all play a significant role in software scalability. Thus, you should always inquire about expandability and the potential costs of scaling up.
3) Making an unrealistic custom eLearning software budget
Every business has a budget for every operation and aspect, including learning & development. A budget for your new learning management software should be determined as part of your requirement analysis.
However, while the expense of your new software is an important consideration, you should never base your decision solely on price. Choosing the most affordable solution may end up costing you more in the long run. It will not be cost-effective if it is not fit for its purpose. To add to that, you might also run into unclear pricing structures and hidden fees.
Many businesses believe that learning software is a one-time expense, but this is rarely the case. Integration, monthly and yearly upgrades, maintenance, and customization may incur additional costs that must be accounted for when planning a budget for the tool.
4) Not taking advantage of demos and free trials
Just like you wouldn’t purchase a car without first taking it for a test drive, learning management software is also the same. Even with cutting-edge technology and a plethora of features, eLearning software may be inappropriate for your organization. As a result, before making a final decision, you should always request a hands-on demonstration.
A thorough demo and trial period are excellent opportunities to learn more about custom eLearning software. It allows you to determine whether it is truly the best fit for your training requirement. A vendor who refuses to demonstrate its platform in action should be avoided at all costs.
When you test the eLearning software, you can evaluate every aspect of the software. Hands-on exploration allows you to get a sense of the learning technology’s capabilities and features. You should also check to see if the learning software supports multimedia content, has reporting and monitoring features that are compatible with your advanced technologies and provides the necessary support and security.
5) Making a decision in silence
Your IT department is informed about your computer system and may ask questions that you would not think to ask. They will be capable of identifying products that will integrate seamlessly with the existing programs.
Furthermore, if your company has a procurement team, you should know what requirement they will be looking at. Procurement departments frequently prioritize centralized purchasing, cost savings, adherence, and managing financial risks.
Different teams will require various types of training and functionalities from your new software. Implicating your end-users in the procedure aids in determining whether it fulfills the requirement of your entire organization.
Choosing eLearning software is not a one-person responsibility, but it is one of the most common errors people make. To address this issue, start rallying the troops as soon as you realize you need a new eLearning software. You can make sure that you’re making investments in software that your employees will find easy to use if the right people are involved in the selection process.
6) Neglecting integrations
Avoid making one of the biggest mistakes when choosing a new custom eLearning software by ensuring effective and efficient integrations. Integrating your LMS as software throughout your organization will provide enormous benefits. Integration can minimize double data entry, and save time and resources.
Effective online learning can be viewed as a learning environment. Everything in the environment, including your learning software, must fit and work together. Fortunately, many vendors understand the value of a unified online learning experience and offer a wide range of integration options to help you connect your learning with software.
Make sure you avoid these pitfalls!
We looked at the top six pitfalls people make when looking for a new custom eLearning software. You should never evaluate different vendors before determining your training requirement. Only then will you know what features you want and what to prioritize.
When selecting custom eLearning software, consider the entire package. Don’t let high prices and lengthy feature lists distract you from the main goal of locating software that meets your training requirement.
A strong foundation will result in a solid shortlist of software providers. Suddenly, your judgment procedure will be much simpler. You will not only avoid making a costly error. You will also see improved long-term business results.
