What I Learnt from Launching a New LMS
You have likely noticed that we recently launched a brand-new, upgraded learning management system or LMS as it is commonly known. This enhancement promises to bring you an even more engaging and efficient learning experience. Our new design is sleek and easier to navigate whilst smoother operation and new resources and tools will help you achieve your goals more effectively.
Launching an LMS is a big job and there is a lot that you can learn from it. Here are 5 of the key things that I have learnt from launching our new LMS.
1. Plan for the unexpected
When launching a new product or service, it is inevitable that there will be unexpected barriers. This can be stressful and you can find yourself starting to panic. The important thing to remember is that it is how you deal with these obstacles that really matters. Pre-launch, take some time to think about potential issues and how you could respond to them. Make sure to also think about how many people are going to be using this service. This can help you anticipate the potential volume of issues and work with your colleagues to develop a plan for how to manage this. If you are finding that you are overwhelmed, it is okay to take a break or ask for support. Sometimes, a cup of tea and a pep talk can make you feel much more in control and capable.
2. Feedback is crucial
Feedback is one of the most valuable things you can ever receive. You can use this feedback to help you make your product the best it can be. Before you launch your LMS, work with the people around you to look at the system from a new perspective. Imagine you are a new user who has never seen the system before. Do you find it easy to navigate? Is there anything that doesn’t work how you would expect it to? Would you recommend this LMS to your colleagues? Asking yourself these questions throughout multiple rounds of testing will allow you to iron out any major bugs before you launch. Testing every single feature multiple times and constantly looking for improvements will help to lessen the number of issues that will surface during the launch.
3. Just because it isn’t broken doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need fixing
You will often hear people saying ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ This is a phrase popularised in the 20th century by Bert Lance, essentially meaning you should avoid correcting or improving what is already sufficient. In the case of an LMS, I think the opposite can and should be true. Our LMS worked perfectly fine before we upgraded it, but that didn’t mean that there wasn’t room for improvement. Even if you think that your LMS is fine as it is, don’t be afraid to re-think your current processes. If you work towards being more efficient, effective and user-friendly, this will provide better outcomes in the long run.
4. Communication is key
You should never underestimate how important communication is to your customers. You need to make sure that you keep your clients in the loop about any upcoming changes or updates so that they don’t feel blindsided. If customers feel like an afterthought or like their input isn’t valued, they are less likely to continue giving you their custom and they certainly won’t recommend you to others. Communicate what to expect and when to expect it. What do your clients need to do before the launch, if anything? Keeping this communication regular and consistent is invaluable – one email a few days before the launch is not enough.
5. Implementation isn’t a one-time thing
It is a common mistake that many people make to think that as soon as the main launch is complete, everything will go back to normal. This is not the case. The work doesn’t just end. There will always be ways to improve or things that your clients wish they had the capability to do. Always look for ways you can expand your offering so that your users get the best experience possible. Try to implement client feedback so that you can effectively meet their needs. If there are things you decide you would like after the launch, note them down for a later date. Just because your LMS is live, this doesn’t mean you can’t still make changes and build upon the foundation you have made.
How can we help?
If you are interested in having a trial of our brand-new LMS or exploring the options for your own white-label LMS, you can contact a member of the Maguire Team using the form on our Contact page. We'd love to hear from you and aid you in your journey towards the best learning experience possible.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in contact with us:
Phone: 0333 5777 144
Email: info@maguiretraining.co.uk
