6 Features HR Leaders Want from Learning Management Systems [According to Research]

Only half of HR leaders are getting value from their LMS

When we asked our respondents if they’re getting the maximum value out of their learning management systems, 55% answered “yes”. However, almost a quarter (23%) said “no”. Moreover, more than 21% said they didn’t know. This suggests that up to 44% could be missing out on the biggest benefits of learning and training, which could ultimately cost them a big chunk of their revenue and ROI.

What’s more, this also clearly shows that this portion of respondents need help and guidance with how to improve the use of their LMS - alternatively, they need to switch altogether if it doesn’t tick their requirement boxes.

When we dig a little bit deeper into the differences between the US and the UK, the latter seems much less confident with the benefits they’re getting out of their LMS. Only 41% from the UK claimed they were getting value from their LMS, with 31% remaining neutral. In comparison, their US counterparts were much more positive: 65% answered “yes” and only 15% remained neutral.

6 features that HR leaders need to get maximum value from their LMS

When asked about what could be improved to help businesses get more out of their LMS, all the answers seem to have one major point in common: The human factor.

1. Ensuring users are comfortable with the platform

No one wants to use a complex and frustrating new platform they can’t navigate. That’s why it’s crucial to provide assistance and help from the beginning to ensure your employees are  comfortable with the platform before they dive into it deeper.

In fact, 61% of our respondents consider this to be the first feature that’ll help them get the most of their LMS. In that sense, LMS providers need to design a simple-to-use platform, not a “digital maze”.

2. Involving the right people

No technology or software can work smoothly and efficiently without the right parties. If you involve the wrong people, this could backfire on you and your employees, which could hugely impact your ROI. In that sense, 60% of our participants think that involving the appropriate stakeholders or employees is the second most important feature to get the most out of their LMS. One way you can ensure this is by starting this conversation with your LMS provider, IT team and managers in your organization.

3. Integrating your LMS with other systems

Integrating your LMS with other systems, such as communication channels, is crucial because it streamlines data sharing between various corporate software tools, reducing administrative duplication and improving workflows. This seamless data flow between systems enhances the overall learning experience and ensures that information is consistently updated across platforms.

Moreover, LMS integration with communication channels like Microsoft Teams fosters better user adoption, as employees can access training materials and collaborate more effectively within familiar environments which encourages active participation and engagement in learning activities. This is considered the third most important feature by about half of our respondents (52%).

4. Training your administrators to use your LMS

When we asked our respondents, 47% claim it’s key to train their administrators to use their LMS effectively as it ensures they can efficiently manage the platform and its features, leading to seamless content curation and organization. This makes it easier for employees to access relevant training materials, contributing to a better learning experience.

In addition, well-trained administrators can monitor employee progress, allowing them to identify areas where additional support or resources may be needed. This helps to customize learning content for individual employees or teams, promoting skill development and overall employee growth.

5. Using reports to understand what works and what doesn’t

It’s important to have a dashboard that provides you with metrics and KPIs that summarize what works well and what doesn’t in your LMS so that you and your team can take the necessary steps to improve and optimize your systems and the overall learning experience.

In fact, 45% of our participants claim this to be a crucial feature. By using reports, you can also track course completion rates, progress, courses popularity and grades. What’s more, using LMS reports is crucial for staying ahead of competition and ensuring success of your learning programs.

6. Getting buy-in from your colleagues

Getting buy-in from your colleagues is crucial for maximizing the value of an LMS within your organization, with 35% of our participants agreeing so. When colleagues understand the benefits of an LMS and actively participate in its implementation, the system is more likely to be successful and provide a higher ROI. Colleague support increases engagement, leading to more efficient and effective learning experiences. With their buy-in, employees are more likely to actively participate in training, collaborate with peers and share knowledge, which boosts productivity and fosters a culture of continuous improvement.

Access the State of Learning & Development research report

For more in-depth  insights into the current state of L&D, including more statistics on the skills gap, the biggest challenges and the different learning methods and L&D initiatives of HR leaders moving forward, download the full report here.