10 qualities to consider when choosing an e-learning...
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10 Qualities to Consider When Choosing an e-Learning Provider
Copyright © 2015 Allen Interactions. All rights reserved. | 2
Choosing the right e-learning provider is an important, and
often lofty, task. There are many qualities to consider in a
learning content design and development company that
will help shape your organization’s workforce, generate ROI,
and produce results.
Selecting a business partner is as much about the
relationship as it is about marking off qualities on a
checklist. The cornerstone of a process for vendor
consideration is about asking potential business partners
the right questions.
So, here are 10 important qualities to consider when
choosing an e-learning provider, as well as suggested
questions to ask potential partners during the search and
selection process.
Intro
The Research Institute of America found that the e-learning experience increases the retention rate
25-60%. This is due to the learner having control over the learning process as well as providing them
with an opportunity to revisit the training as needed, which is ideal for infrequent users.
e-Learning – A Strategy for Maximizing Human Capital in the Knowledge Economy
Copyright © 2015 Allen Interactions. All rights reserved. | 4
Quality 1: Performance & business impact is the targetNot all e-learning is alike. Online information delivery
is different from high quality, performance-changing
learning experiences. You, the client, and the e-learning
provider should establish and agree on quality as it relates
to targeted business outcomes and learner performance
goals throughout the partnership.
• Is the e-learning provider focused on business
outcomes as they relate to performance targets and
learner needs?
• What is the e-learning provider’s view on budget
allocation based on levels of learning and
organizational impact?
• Does the candidate know the difference between flashy
media and effective instructional design?
Quality 2: Ability to collaborate effectivelyDesigning and developing effective learning experiences
for your business requires a company that actively and
professionally collaborates with you and your team.
• Does the provider have a process that focuses on
collaboration throughout all phases of design and
development?
• Does the e-learning company offer its partners internal
training and support on the collaborative processes and
tools they use for development and implementation?
Copyright © 2015 Allen Interactions. All rights reserved. | 5
Quality 3: Effective communication Effective and open communication is the key to any
successful relationship, and it’s something to ask about
early in the process.
Does the provider have a process, strategy, and history
of showcasing effective communication throughout the
design and development process?
• What kind of collaboration tools do they use?
• How responsive, accessible, and flexible is the vendor?
• Does the vendor’s culture align with your culture?
• Do they provide established report schedules?
Quality 4: Clear and defined process The surest way to determine the potential of an e-learning
company is to understand their process. There is comfort
and confidence in knowing how phases of design and
development, meetings, and reviews will work and if the
candidate’s process will compliment your culture, team,
project goals, timeline, and budget.
• Do they have a clearly defined and stated process
which you can review and discuss, or is every project a
specialized approach?
• What instructional design and development expertise
do they have?
• What project management experience do they have?
• Are their processes based on current models or
outdated processes?
• Are their people properly trained and certified on their
process?
Copyright © 2015 Allen Interactions. All rights reserved. | 6
Quality 5: Examples of success
Take a test drive before you buy. Let’s be honest, a broad
portfolio of past and current offerings provides clear
insight into the type of work you can expect from an
e-learning partner. Review each candidate’s work to gain a
good grasp on the breadth, depth, and quality they deliver
for their clients.
Quality 6: Offer a timely approach
Next to achieving budgetary expectations, the biggest
hurdle for any e-learning project is meeting deadlines. Your
time is important, and a potential partner should have
a plan and a record of making the most of the time you
commit to the project.
• Does the candidate have a proven track record of
meeting time commitments?
• Can the candidate assure meeting delivery dates?
• Do they offer a timeline or process to meet project
goals?
• Will they openly help you understand risks? The last
thing you need is agreement to a schedule only to find
out later that the timeline was unreasonable and that
key stakeholders have to be notified of the impact and
delay.
Copyright © 2015 Allen Interactions. All rights reserved. | 7
Quality 7: Strategic consultation Every learning development project is unique. While many
basic learning design and development strategies are
consistent, employing them in a manner to address specific
organizational and training needs is critical to success.
• Does the e-learning company possess the people and
learning strategy expertise to identify and address your
organization’s unique training project challenges and
opportunities?
• What value-add does the provider offer beyond design
and development?
Quality 8: Time in the industry
Nothing demonstrates success more than business
longevity. The e-learning industry is made up of an array
of companies large and small, young and old. How long
a potential candidate has been servicing its clients is an
important indicator of their ability to build and maintain
lasting relationships.
• How long has the candidate been operating in the
market?
• What is their seniority of employees? How much
experience does their staff have? (A mix of senior and
new is desirable.)
• How many projects or clients have they worked with
over the years?
Copyright © 2015 Allen Interactions. All rights reserved. | 8
Quality 9: Dedication to the craft
One thing which can set an e-learning provider apart
from the rest of the pack is their dedication to the craft of
development.
• Does this e-learning candidate participate in industry
activities which benefit the field at large?
• Is there a history of contributions to the field by the
professionals who work for the e-learning company?
Quality 10: Technology and creativity experts.
A critical consideration when reviewing potential providers
is expertise in technology and creativity. Technology and
creativity capabilities showcase a company’s currency
with media and technical trends, as well as their ability to
provide innovative solutions that meet your business and
training goals.
• Do they have technology development expertise and
ability to build the level of interactivity you require or are
seeking?
• Can they provide examples that showcase the technical
and media capabilities that will meet your learning
goals?
• Will their technology solutions work seamlessly with the
technology you have in place, including your LMS?
• Do they have technology solutions that create
efficiencies for your team to make updates or changes
to the product?
Boring and effective are mutually exclusive attributes in learning.
Michael AllenChairman & CEO, Allen Interactions
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