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Learning Management System 47 desired future state. The blueprint should be aligned with organizational learning goals and have buy-in from leadership. Secondly, it should be noted that seamless LMS integration doesnt exist. Therefore, you need to acknowledge sizable costs associated with 1 migrating databases, 2 constructing digital connectors to other enterprise software systems, 3 developing or migrating content, and 4 customizing reports. The implementation must be planed through three steps: 1 internal assessment, 2 pro- curement, and 3 implementation. Some standard assessments to focus the effort in de- fining future learning blueprint include: strategic analysis, IT infrastructure assessment, cultural readiness assessments, and administrative process analysis.

1. Strategic analysis identifies the organization’s business objectives as they relate to

workforce development, defines high-level priority target areas for knowledge and skills transfer, and describes--in basic terms--the current and desired future learning environment.

2. IT infrastructure assessments provide baseline information about the current

configuration of the organization’s IT backbone and detail programs that exist on desktops across the enterprise. This assessment should define connectivity that remote learners and those closer to the central IT hubs will experience. Explore internal or external hosting options. For example, if your organization will host the LMS internally, the IT department needs to understand that the LMS will require continued support. That translates to bandwidth and labor costs that are not often factored into a organization’s investment decision. An additional collateral benefit from conducting this sort of assessment is that it engages the IT department at the beginning of the process. Support from IT is critical to a successful LMS implementation, whether the solution is hosted internally or externally.

3. Cultural readiness assessments help determine an organization’s ability to embrace

new learning strategies. Often, LMS implementation projects address all of the technical aspects adequately but overlook political, cultural, and practical implications. That oversight generally results in a stalled or failed initiative. A cultural readiness assessment helps define parameters for success, such as whether you need intense internal marketing for your programs.

4. Administrative process analysis maps existing administrative efforts that govern the

training function and identifies procedures that will change due to an LMS implementation. Examples include how to handle overbooked classes and capturing and recording learner results and feedback. Analysis will also determine where the LMS needs to connect to existing HR software systems and databases. Those assessments will help organization develop a clear picture of required functionality and create LMS bid specifications that most closely align with e-learning needs. Most leading LMS providers offer substantially more functionality than basic administrative, tracking, and reporting options, including competency modules and tool sets for developing online course content. In addition, many companies need to add functionality thats unavailable in a standard LMS package. Basic LMS functionality combined with expanded utilities and other learning software applications is referred to as a learning architecture. Some questions to consider when developing e-learning architecture are  Will you host the solution?