Managing a Successful LMS/LCMS Integration Presented by: Billy Biggs, MBA, PMP Assistant Director, Knowledge Consulting GP Knowledge Management Solutions

Topics ► Your e-Learning Strategy ► LMS vs LCMS – Differences ► Why Integrate? ► Common e-Learning Problems ► Risk vs. Reward ► 5 Important Integration Considerations ► After Implementation – Next Steps

Your e-Learning Strategy ► Learning Management System (LMS) a high-level, strategic solution for planning, delivering, and managing all learning events within an organization, including online, virtual classroom, and instructor-led courses. ► The Learning Content Management System (LCMS) a system that creates, stores, assembles and delivers personalized e-learning content in the form of learning objects. ► The LCMS has become the next project for most organizations after the LMS is implemented. ► LCMS + LMS = Perfect Complements ► Overall system must be sponsored by Executive Management to be successful.

Differences LMSLCMS Who benefits?All learners; organizationContent developers; Learners who need personalized content Provides primary management of:Learner performance; learning requirements; learning programs and planning Learning content Manages e-learningYes Manages traditional forms of training, such as instructor-ledYesNo Tracks resultsYes Supports learner collaborationYes Includes learner profile managementYesNo Allows HR and ERP systems to share learner dataYesNo Schedules eventsYesNo

Differences LMSLCMS Offers competency mapping/skill gap analysisYesNo Includes registration, prerequisite screening, and cancellation notification YesNo Creates test questions and test administrationYes Supports dynamic pretesting and adaptive learningNo Yes Supports content creationNoYes Organizes reusable contentYes Includes workflow tools to manage content creation processNoYes Develops content navigation controls and user interfaceNoYes

Notional Architecture – How does it look?

Cross-points – Where do they meet? ► Content LMS – manages and delivers LCMS – creates and defines ► Users LMS – manages learning activities, learning history, competencies and skill levels LCMS – offers content based on users’ competencies, skills gaps ► Administration LMS – focused on users LCMS – focused on content ► Both systems have the same basic goal To accelerate online learning

Why Integrate? ► An LMS alone will not meet all of your organization’s training/learning requirements ► Reduced maintenance costs ► Richer learning experience for users ► Interoperability Standards such as AICC and SCORM allow for easier integration ► Single log-on with integrated workflows and security

Common Technical e-Learning Problems ► Most organizations lack a standard desktop image ► Incorrect browser and PC settings Single most common problem (i.e. – Java Virtual Machine (JVM)); affects communication parameters ► Content creation Tools – Macromedia, Breeze ► Plug-ins May be necessary to support some content as the user’s default browser may not have ► Cross-Domain issues When content resides on a different domain then the LMS

Common Functional e-Learning Problems ► Lack of appropriate user/admin training ► Undefined or vague requirements ► Lack of stakeholder or executive mgmt buy-in ► Inefficient or no marketing plan/approach

Integration - Risk vs. Reward ► Risks Multiple vendors, as opposed to just one Higher initial cost More culturally invasive More technically challenging (i.e. upgrades) ► Rewards Higher Return On Investment (ROI) Lower cost of overall training than 2 separate systems - Class materials, training delivery, record keeping Supports flexible student learning strategies Higher levels of user satisfaction

5 Important Integration Considerations ► 1. Will the proposed solution meet all of your technical and business training requirements? ► 2. Out of box solution or Agnostic Approach? ► 3. Utilize 3 rd party Portal vendors to ease the integration burden ► 4. Open, interoperable approach ► 5. Static vs Dynamic Delivery

Other Considerations ► Let LMS companies make LMSs and LCMS companies make LCMSs ► Make sure the problems integration solves are the problems your organization cares about. ► Follow your overall e-Learning Strategy

What’s Next? “The Portalization” of eLearning – Accessing your integrated solution via a Portal.

Questions/Comments Thank you! Billy Biggs, MBA, PMP Assistant Director, Knowledge Consulting GP Knowledge Management Solutions