Purchasing vs. Building Training Platforms: Tips and Ideas for Decision-Making

Assume that you been assigned by your employer to suggest whether your company should buy or build a training platform from scratch. How would you state your case, for and against the decision that your company should make? Should you recommend buying an existing off-the-shelf software application or would you suggest that your company purchase existing software?

Custom-built software has the appeal of being designed to fit your particular training needs. One issue you should address early is whether or not it will save you any effort and time, rather than purchasing existing software. Also, you would have to determine the employees in the organization who need to have access to the training software. An additional point to note is that the data management, data processing, and data reporting functions and features should be planned on from the onset of the project to then be implemented and tried out during product testing. Remember also to focus on data quality as you develop the training software. So, if you are planning to incorporate e-learning tools, be sure that data tracking and management is accurate and efficient.

If you make a decision to purchase a learning management system, be sure that the features that you really need are already part of the system. You should not assume that the training platform will meet all your teaching and learning needs. As a matter of fact, it is not a good idea to assume that the training software;s data management and collection system is going to be automatic. Hence look to answer the following questions as you decide what is it that you want for your training needs:

Seek to answer the following questions: What user interface features are desired? What level of trouble shooting and debugging is needed during production and development? What levels of access will different users have? How will usability testing be approached? What database outputs are needed for training and records?

Typically, the above questions will generate different answers for each individual company or organization. Therefore a team should work together and have a project manager coordinate the entire process. Usability testing must also be part of the process throughout the design and implementation. Using a small group of learners and instructors, the training platform should be tested out to ensure that it suits both the instructional and training needs of the organization.

Sometimes it turns out that homegrown products are more expensive either to build or maintain. There is also a possibility that the people who build the systems are no longer with the organization and the technical support is thus interrupted. Because of these issues, companies end up looking for off-the-shelf product, with standard support, training, and continuous upgrades and improvements that they can buy rather than build themselves.

One disadvantage of pre-existing software is that it may not always meet your particular training and educational needs. Technical support can be expensive and not readily available when needed. The support features that include licensing and copyright requirements and software updates should be part of the project management teams discussion while the procurement process is ongoing. Whenever it is possible, looking into the customizable, flexible features of off-the-shelf applications is suggested. Most software vendors may have this as an option, so it is a good idea to investigate this further.

So, regardless of the option you or the company decides to go with, remember that you will likely incur additional costs in maintenance, updates, and user training. In the final event what it boils down to is the return on investment for the company. Even more important is the value added to the organization through the training and skill and knowledge advancement of the trainees (employees), instructors and learning management system team.

Using an LMS Training System in Times of Crisis

It’s a well-understood fact in the business world. During times of economic downturn, achieving and/or maintaining that competitive edge is essential. A recession indicates an aggressive job market in which competent employees wake up without a job, and recent college graduates formerly aiming for the stars are temporarily lowering their gazes.

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In this kind of setting, if you have any hope at all, you also have a one-of-a-kind, potent rsme that outshines the rest in the pile.

But the news isn’t all bad. For both individuals and organizations, there is no better time than a recession to update skills and business proficiency. Organizations and professionals all over the country have recognized this truth and invested in staff skills through LMS and/or face-to-face training this year.

Training administered by an LMS is an affordable way to gain staff competencies. When some person or organization invests in LMS training, it’s guaranteed that when the economy does come around, that investment will have paid off by a major increase in staff or personal marketability.

LMS training is one way to ensure that employees are kept up to date with new information and skills. Learning management systems like Coggno offer management courses like: Managing: Groups and Teams, Empowerment and Motivation, Goal Setting and Feedback, Adaptive Leadership, Coaching, Managing Change, and Managing Conflict.

LMSs are not only convenient and versatile, but can aid in organizing collaborative projects and accomplishing company goals.

Of course, the best way to let your talents emerge and strengthen is to practice them. If you’ve ever considered a career as an online course developer, now is the perfect time to start. Courseware syndicators and LMS training providers like Coggno allow you to upload your course content using simple course creation tools, providing you with complete customization and control of your course.

Using Coggno’s development tools such as video, text, quiz, template and assessment tools, as well as the Apple Podcast Producer, BB Flashback Screen Recordings, and the SCORM publisher, authors find great flexibility and easy access to a range of robust functions.