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Avoiding Scope Creep in eLearning: Common Pitfalls and Solutions

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Starting an eLearning project is exciting, but once it’s underway, unexpected changes—often called “scope creep”—can lead to higher costs and longer timelines. Below are the most common culprits of eLearning scope creep and tips on how to avoid them.

1. Late Discovery of Misaligned Content

Sometimes, content provided by the client doesn’t align with the training goals, but this isn’t noticed until after storyboarding or, worse, during media production. Catching this early can save significant time and money. Before you move to development, ensure that the content fully supports your training objectives.

2. Changing Content Mid-Project

After initial approval, clients may feel the need to adjust content. Even small changes can ripple through many components—storyboards, visual assets, audio tracks, animations, and test questions. Late content changes may even impact the delivery method or program length. Once content is approved, it’s best to stick to it to avoid costly revisions.

3. Adding Extra Reviewers Later

Adding extra reviewers mid-way can result in conflicting feedback and project delays. To avoid this, involve all key stakeholders and SMEs at the beginning of the project, ideally before final storyboard review. Getting everyone’s buy-in early keeps the process smooth and aligned.

4. Missed Client Deadlines

Delays on the client side—whether due to shifting priorities or asset preparation—can stretch timelines and increase costs. Prolonged delays often lead to extra meetings, reallocation of resources, and time spent re-familiarizing the team with the project. In cases where delays impact scheduled shoots or venue reservations, rebooking costs can add up quickly.

5. Outdoor Shoots

Any outdoor filming introduces the unpredictability of weather. Rescheduling due to weather can delay the project and increase costs. Plan ahead for weather-related risks if outdoor shots are a key part of your project.

6. Using In-house Talent for Media

While using employees as actors or voice talent can save money, it comes with risks. Staff may leave mid-project, requiring reshoots or re-recordings. Non-professional talent often takes longer to coach, which can extend shooting times. For reliable results, consider professional talent, especially for large projects.

7. Competing SME Teams

When multiple SME teams work on different sections of an eLearning project, they may compete for resources to make their section stand out. This can lead to unplanned interactive elements or custom videos, stretching the budget. Align with all SME teams from the start to prioritize where to invest in premium features.

8. Accessibility Reviews as an Afterthought

Accessibility needs are often overlooked until the project is almost complete, leading to last-minute adjustments. Define accessibility requirements—such as visual or audio accommodations—early in the project to keep everything on track and avoid extra costs.

9. Last-Minute Translation Requests

Requesting translations after the eLearning course is nearly complete can double the workload. If multiple languages are anticipated, plan for translation early to streamline workflows and avoid duplicative production.

Keep Scope Creep Under Control

Partnering with an experienced eLearning developer like Branch Media can help keep your project on budget. Our team is proactive about identifying potential challenges early and working with you to maintain scope. Contact us today to explore how we can support your training goals efficiently and effectively.

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eLearning Compelling

Tips for Writing eLearning Scripts

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Engaging eLearning Narration Starts with Compelling Copywriting

We have a saying at Branch Media: “People like two types of writing: good writing and their own writing.” All of us, including professional writers, have blind spots when it comes to our own work. Unfortunately, spellcheck and grammar check alone won’t transform mediocre copy into an effective narrative script. As a reminder to ourselves and to help others, our instructional designers put together this list of tips for writing eLearning scripts:

  1. Start with a Solid Framework
  2. Keep Your Audience in Mind
  3. Follow the Basic Rules of Good Writing
  4. Provide Cues for the Voice Talent
  5. Remember the eLearning Scope
  6. Make the Narrative Script Engaging
  7. Review, Listen, Tweak, and Get a Second Opinion

Let’s take a closer look at how you can carry out each of these tips when writing eLearning scripts.

1. Start with a Solid Framework

  • The prerequisites for script writing are an organized outline and well-defined, specific learning objectives. These tools help you maintain focus and prevent redundancy.
  • Before you write, perform a wellness check on your content.
    • Look for content holes. Do you have the information needed to flesh out the outline and address each learning objective? If not, reach out to the subject matter expert (SME) or, if its within scope, do research of your own.
    • Consider the source. Does the client have the legal rights to use the content and assets they provided? The assumption is “yes,” but that’s not always the case. For instance, let’s say a client provides you with an existing PowerPoint presentation to pull from. Once upon a time when the PowerPoint was created, its author included information from a book but forgot to cite the source. You might surmise the client “owns” a diagram, an idea or even the contents of entire PowerPoint. A simple internet search may reveal otherwise. If you are working with content that is not owned by the client or public domain, use a variety of sources and remember to cite them. (Learn more about copyright and fair use laws.)
  • Get the creative juices flowing by brainstorming about creative ways to present the content. After all, eLearning scripts should be both interesting and informative. While you may brainstorm on your own, at least initially, collaborating with others on your team can unleash even more ideas. Are there opportunities to take advantage of natural humor in the narrative script? Can you draw meaningful analogies? Make a list of possibilities, and then throw out everything except the best ideas.

2. Keep Your Audience in Mind

  • A good eLearning script writer tries to think like someone in the target audience.
    • “What do I know?” Telling the audience things they already know can cause individuals to tune out or even insult their intelligence. However, skipping over information could leave the more novice members of the audience confused. You have to walk a fine line to bridge the gap.
    • “What’s in it for me?” To engage the audience, early on your script should establish that this eLearning is not only relevant, but also beneficial.
  • When writing eLearning scripts, clarity is king. A good rule of thumb is to write at the reading level of your audience, but don’t make things complex just because your audience can handle it.
  • Sometimes writers steer away from using a conversational tone because the client wants to present a professional image. They equate “professional” with formal and traditional tones, but that doesn’t have to be the case. A conversational tone can be quite effective for most training audiences.

3. Follow the Basic Rules of Good Writing

  • “Write to express, not to impress.” In eLearning, your goal is to take more complex topics and make them easy to understand, not vice versa.
  • “Less is more.” If you can say it in fewer words, do so. Beware of redundancy.
  • Don’t forget to use transition phrases to help guide your audience from one thought to the next.
  • When possible, write in active voice rather than passive voice. Because of the sentence structure, active voice naturally creates a more dynamic and engaging narrative. Plus, it is typically more concise.
  • Use parallel structure when talking about items in a list or series. For instance, each item will be a noun phrase, verb phrase, or participle phrase, but not a combination of these. Following this tip makes a big difference in how natural the narration sounds.

4. Provide Cues for the Voice Talent

  • When writing for narration, always use Oxford commas (a comma before “and” or “or” in a series). This comma serves as a visual cue to the voice talent when recording so it’s clear how the sentence should flow. Failing to do so may result in the need for rereads. What it the client style guide does not support the use of Oxford commas? You can remove them from the narrative script after the voice over session but before the closed captioning is added to the eLearning.
  • Whenever there is an acronym that appears in your script that should be pronounced as individual letters, separate each letter by a period. For instance, instead of “ADHD,” type “A.D.H.D.” If an acronym is to be spoken as a word, then include instructions perhaps in brackets and/or highlighted. For instance, your script might say, “FEMA [pronounced fee-muh].” Remember to remove these notes from the script before it’s used for closed captioning purposes.
  • If there are scientific, industry-specific, or any other terms the voice talent may not know how to correctly pronounce, include direction for those, as well. You may even include a pronunciation guide at the beginning of the script.

5. Remember the eLearning Scope

  • As you write, keep an eye on the word count and how it compares to the target length of your training. Typically, the eLearning is scoped in terms of hours or minutes. Most voice talents narrate at a pace of 110 to 130 words per minute.
  • Be mindful of what the client aims to accomplish with the training, such as problems they want to resolve. These are typically outlined in the scope and reflected by the learning objectives. Address these items directly in the eLearning script. Then check for understanding by including questions about each of these items.
  • Before scripting activities, games, simulations, review questions, etc., make sure you understand what interactions are possible within the budget constraints. The quantity and type of interactions may have been included in the RFP and/or the Scope of Work (SOW) document, so you need to be aware of those parameters. Then write the best possible content for those types of interactions.

6. Make the Narrative Script Engaging

  • Clients often push for the narrator to kick off training by reading aloud the list of learning objective. This is a great way to immediately knock all energy and interest out of your audience. Instead, consider one of these alternatives:
    • Better: If covering the objectives up front is a must, write the script so the narrator invites the learner to read through them independently. For instance, the narration might say, “Listed here are the learning objectives for this course. Read through them, then click “continue.””
    • Best: Rather than overwhelm the audience up front, it is typically best to let the eLearning unfold more naturally and gradually. Consider including a general, high-level introduction up front. Then as at the beginning of each section of training, incorporate a more specific section intro. If the client still wants to include a list of learning objectives, they can appear section by section instead of one long list for the entire course.
  • Purposeful interactions can be a great way to engage the audience, but scripting in an interaction for interaction’s sake is lazy. When they don’t provide learning value, the audience sees them as a waste of time.
  • One of our favorite eLearning courses we produced taught much of the content only after asking the learner to take a stab at answering a short set of leading questions. Upon responding to a question, the course revealed the correct answer and played a short, one- or two-minute video. In it, a subject matter expert elaborated on the topic. Leading questions can be an effective way to wake up the audience to what they don’t know so they are more receptive to instruction.
  • On a similar note, if you can incorporate interviews with subject matter experts who are also good speakers, do so. They typically have passion in their voices about the content that professional voice talents can rarely emulate.
  •  

7. Review, Listen, Tweak, and Get a Second Opinion

  • One of best ways to spot issues in an eLearning narrative script is to have someone else review it. (Remember, we often have blind spots to our own writing.) If that’s not possible, set your script aside. Then come back another day and review it yourself with fresh eyes.
  • While simple, this final tip is a best practice when writing eLearning scripts. Listen to your script being read. Quite often, words on a page seem cohesive when read silently, but then they fall apart when narrated. Listen to your entire script being read aloud (by your computer, someone else, or yourself). Make note of what doesn’t sound right and look for ways to give the script a more natural flow.

It’s Harder Than You Might Think

Writing an eLearning script sounds pretty simple, but there are many nuances to consider. Maybe you would feel more comfortable having a set of experienced eyes review your eLearning script before sending it into production. Perhaps, due to a full plate or writer’s block, you are ready to turn the writing task over to someone else. The Branch Media team includes skilled instructional designers, writers, and editors, as well as programmers, animators, production artists, and more. We offer the professional services you need for effective eLearning solutions. Contact us, and we’ll be glad to set up a free consultation meeting to discuss your next project.

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Professional eLearning Development Process

Professional eLearning Development Process – Part 2

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A Detailed Look at Media Development

As we continue our two-part series detailing the steps of the eLearning development process, we shift our focus to media development.

Proceed with Caution

But first, a word of caution… Remember in part 1, we covered the first 13 steps of the eLearning development process. If you fail to get storyboard approval during step 13 and move into media development, you are pushing your luck.

If you fail to get storyboard approval during step 13 and move into media development, you are pushing your luck.

Key subject matter experts and project influencers must reach a consensus that the storyboard is solid before it becomes the blueprint for media development. If these individuals bring new content and ideas to the table later in the process, incorporating them would likely require additional work and rework beyond the agreed upon financial scope. (Learn how to avoid scope creep by reading  “eLearning Scope Checklist for Realistic Quotes.”)

Only after the client approves the storyboard should the project advance to the steps of media development. Let’s pick up there.

Steps of the eLearning Development Process (Continued): Media Development

14) Mock-Ups and Voice Samples

The development team supplies mock-ups of key screens and voice over samples for review.

If the eLearning in development is a new product and not part of an existing set of courses, there may be a third deliverable at this point. The team may provide a sample shell eLearning course for review and testing.

15) Meeting with Client

The eLearning development team and client meet to discuss the mock-ups, voice over samples, and, if provided, the sample shell course. The goal is approval of these deliverables. However, it’s not unusual for the client to request some tweaks.

16) Kick-Off of eLearning Production

eLearning production begins. This step usually involves several people engaged in a flurry of activity, including:

  • Professional voice over recording
  • Voice audio editing
  • Timing of closed captions
  • Music selection and music audio editing
  • Graphic design
  • Illustration
  • Stock art research and manipulation
  • Custom photography and/or video shoots
  • Animation and motion graphic work
  • Internal meeting between instructional designer and producers
  • Production in an eLearning format

17) Internal Quality Assurance Reviews and Edits

During this critical step, the instructional designer performs several key tasks:

  • Reviews the finished work
  • Documents any issues and provides the development team this feedback
  • Reviews the updated version to ensure the expectations set in the storyboard are met in the produced piece

Remember, this happens before it ever goes to the client for review.

Unfortunately, this step often gets skipped by novice eLearning developers and those developing eLearning internally. What are the consequences of bypassing this step? Subject matter experts are left to catch technical errors and accidental omissions. That’s is a poor use of their time and a distraction from what their primary focus to review the effectiveness of the training.

Even if you are writing, developing, and publishing a course as a one-person show, we encourage you to enlist the help of a good quality assurance review resource. Other eLearning development companies sometimes contract their reviews to the Branch Media team because of our reputation for having such a good quality assurance process.

Not only can this step save the subject matter experts’ time; it also saves the eLearning development team’s time.

Not only can this step save the subject matter experts’ time; it also saves the eLearning development team’s time. How? If the instructional designer catches an error, glitch, or something that comes across in a way not intended by the storyboard, the team can think of a fix that is easy to implement and best addresses the problem. But if the issue makes its way to the eyes of the client’s subject matter experts and project influencers, things may not go as smoothly. They may come up with a less than elegant solution that is more time consuming and does not solve the problem nearly as well. The development team then has to gracefully talk the client out of a bad idea to fix an issue that should never have gotten to them in the first place.

So to sum up this step, you will save yourself time and trouble if you catch and fix problems before the client ever sees the produced piece.

18) Client Review

The development team posts the produced eLearning to a test server environment for client review. The team may also provide an online, preformatted document the client can populate with feedback. Our document includes a variety of fields that identify items like who is reporting the issue, the nature of the issue, as well as its location in the eLearning.

19) Review Meeting

The client review cycle is followed up by a review meeting between representatives from the development team and the client. Even if the client documented their feedback in the prior step and the changes are minor, it’s still a good idea for both parties to discuss the feedback and have an opportunity to clarify any item on the list before moving forward.

The goal of the meeting is to have a clear list of action items of what the development team needs to change in order to finalize the eLearning and make sure it’s in alignment with the approved storyboard.

The goal of the meeting is to have a clear list of action items of what the development team needs to change in order to finalize the eLearning and make sure it’s in alignment with the approved storyboard. These type of client requests are considered to be “in-scope feedback.”

What happens if the client wants to introduce new content or make some other change that is a departure from the approved storyboard? This may fall under the category of “out-of-scope feedback,” depending on the effort required to accommodate the request. If that’s the case, the develop team will need to estimate the work so the client can decide whether the change justifies the additional production cost or it’s best to stick to the original plan.

20) Feedback Implementation

The development team incorporates the agreed upon feedback into the eLearning program.

21) Internal Quality Assurance Review

The instructional designer performs another round of internal quality review checks to verify all items were addressed.

22) Client Review

The development team posts the updated eLearning to a test server environment. It’s now ready for client review.

We have heard horror stories of this step turning into multiple review cycles, which increases the length of the project and wastes valuable time. When Branch Media is working on a project, this step normally goes quickly. That’s because we take the time earlier in the process to document what is important to our clients. We follow up with quality assurance testing to make sure that’s what we deliver.

23) Final Review Meeting

Representatives from the development team meet once again with the client for final review and approval of the eLearning program.

We have a word of advice for those creating an eLearning course that’s to be delivered in multiple languages.

We have a word of advice for those creating an eLearning course that’s to be delivered in multiple languages. Some might think that once the storyboard is approved, it should be sent out for translation so that all of the different language versions can be produced simultaneously. Our experience tells us that is a mistake.

It is wise to wait until you have a fully produced and approved eLearning piece in the primary language before undertaking translation and production into other languages.

Why? Inevitably, even when the client thoroughly reviews and approves the storyboard, there are at least a couple of tweaks that need to be made during media development. It’s not so bad to make those couple of tweaks in just one version of the eLearning, get it finalized, and have a “clean” end product to leverage for the other languages. But if you are developing the eLearning in all of the courses at the same time and discover even just one sentence of narration needs to be reworded, the effort snowballs. The more languages you are dealing with, the more translators and voice talents you must coordinate with for rework; not to mention the extra work of the audio editors and the rest of the production team.

24) Delivery of Final Course

In most cases, this step requires the development team to create a final SCORM file of the eLearning and test it before providing it to the client.

The Timeframe of the eLearning Development Process

Once there is an approved storyboard, we find media development to final delivery usually takes about four to six weeks. It depends, in part, on how long the client needs for each review cycle, the length and complexity of the eLearning, etc.

That being said, Branch Media has, at times, transformed an approved storyboard into fully produced eLearning in just a few days.

We know the process because we live it every day and leverage it to deliver solutions for our clients.

We know the process because we live it every day and leverage it to deliver solutions for our clients.

By partnering with a competent team, you benefit from their experience in streamlining the many steps of eLearning development. But if you choose the wrong partner, the result can be costly delays with steps being repeated.

As mentioned in part 1 of this series, the traditional approach to eLearning development is not right for every situation. There are alternative approaches that offer a more rapid delivery cycle; they are not right for every situation either.

Avoiding a Critical Mistake

For this type of eLearning development, one of the worst things you can do is add more cooks to the kitchen as the project progresses. Why is that mistake so tempting? As the project matures, it becomes more visual. That makes it easier for new people to see progress and weigh in with ideas. So to reiterate, you need to get all your key subject matter experts and approvers involved from the beginning.  Bringing in an influential opinion after the first round of eLearning is created can lead to a lot of great ideas coming way too late in the game, especially if you want to meet the project budget and timeline.

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Resources You Need for Your Project’s Success

Whether you need a professional team to navigate all of these steps or a la carte resources to help you through a bottleneck phase, Branch Media is ready to partner with you. We put an end to mindless media by creating solutions to meet your unique training needs. Contact us to learn more about our custom eLearning courses, eLearning games, creative video production, and dynamic websites and applications.

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Professional eLearning Development Process – Part 1

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Details of the eLearning Development Process

Many efforts get key steps of the eLearning development process wrong, yet having the right approach is vital to the success of your project. There is a lot of talk today about competing methodologies (Agile, Spiral, etc.). To understand how these new models might be applied to online training, you must first have a solid grasp on the details of a good, traditional approach.

In another article, we covered the traditional eLearning development process at a very high level. We also briefly outlined some alternatives. It is helpful to dive into the traditional development approach in more detail. After all, the details of planning virtual learning courses are what people often get wrong, even those who have been doing this a while. Whether you are new and trying to develop your first project plan or schedule or you are a client looking to grasp the steps involved in professional eLearning development, you will benefit from understanding the details.

In the first segment of this detailed, two-part series on the professional eLearning development process, we cover the steps from the project kickoff to final storyboard approval. In part 2, we will cover a recommended media development approach.

Steps of the eLearning Development Process

1) Project Kick-Off Meeting

This initial meeting will cover several things:

  • Team introductions
  • Target audience
  • Identification of key influencers and approvers for the project
  • Overall project goals
  • Plan for tracking development progress
  • Other means of communication
  • Target platforms and devices
  • Schedule of content review meetings
  • Project limits such as:
    • Total desired length of eLearning
    • Financial limitations
    • Final deadline
    • Dangers to scope

 

Often those creating the training are far more invested in the content than the target audience.

During the team introductions, it is vital to establish the Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for various parts of the project. Also, never underestimate the value of a good discussion about the target audience. To be successful, you must figure out how to make the training valuable to the target audience. Understanding the target audience drives the eLearning content more than any other factor.

It’s vital to establish the key influencers and approvers for the project. A common mistake clients make is waiting until AFTER the first version of the eLearning is created to get the key approvers involved. This tactic is tempting because this phase of development is  easiest to review and takes the least amount of time or communication. Nonetheless, it is VITAL that anyone who can stop approval of the project be involved in every approval step if at all possible. Otherwise, a key approver can introduce changes to scope at a point when there may not be adequate time or budget to implement those changes.

It is worth noting that a full schedule is usually not established at this point because the content needs to be reviewed before an accurate schedule can be developed. Often clients WANT a full schedule at this meeting, but it is like trying to build a detailed schedule for building a house when a rough blueprint has not even been created yet. At this point, you may be able to estimate general phases, but any attempts at a detailed schedule are really educated guesswork. Instead, put together a plan for when a full schedule can be established and schedule the content review meetings. While the best time to finalize a full detailed schedule is after the outline is fully created and approved, the development team can often publish a draft detailed schedule before this, modifying it after the outline is approved.

The meeting should also cover a list of things that could increase the scope of the project, especially since these are often these are not obvious to the client or even the development team. (We will cover a list of potential scope dangers in another post.)

2) Content Meeting(s)

The size of the project often dictates how many content meetings are needed. For small projects, you may only need one, but very large projects, there may actually be a series of meetings.

Content meetings may involve anything from reviewing previous course material to taking notes as content experts talk and answer questions.

These meetings should be recorded, if at all possible.

The instructional designer will both focus and the content and ask what related visual assets may already exist. Since this is the primary person on the development team who knows where the content is going, the instructional designer must take the lead in gathering assets.

Failing to take advantage of existing visual assets can have a couple of consequences. It can either drive the cost of the project up as the creative team recreates things they don’t know already exist, or it can makes the project less visually appealing as those key elements are missed.

To make sure the collected assets are high enough quality to actually be used, the instructional designer must be educated in video and file formats and communicate the  necessary specifications. The instructional designer must also verify the rights to the assets being used. 

Again, it does not make sense to push this asset gathering work onto a different resource. The instructional designer knows best where the content will go and has the most contact with the SMEs. For an efficiently run project, the instructional designer is the right person to lead asset gathering.

3) Research and Study of Content

The instructional designer studies the content further and also works to understand the audience fully. This process often involves reviewing client-provided materials, as well as other outside material created on the subject. The instructional designer may communicate with the client via email or phone to get any questions answered.

Several issues are commonly encountered during this phase:

These are all potential challenges the instructional designer must anticipate and know how to address.
  • The client wants to cover far more content than the time allotted for the eLearning.
  • The client’s content is contradictory. One place it says one thing, and, in another place, it says something else. Even the client SMEs may be in disagreement.
  • The client’s content is so high level and lacking in detail that it would not really be a benefit to the target audience.

When issues such as these arise, the instructional designer works with the project manager to arrange additional client meetings. Sometimes these issues are easily remedied with a single meeting. Other times, it takes getting all the client SME’s in the same room so they can debate the issues and reach a consensus.

4) Course Outline Creation

Once all big issues are sorted out, the instructional designer creates an outline with learning objectives. Good instructional design organizes the content in a logical flow for the target audience. Even though the outline is often brief, it usually accomplishes several key things, including:

  • Referencing in detail the source material to be used both for content and visual assets;
  • Providing high-level descriptions of the types of interactions that will be created;
  • Estimating the length of each major part of the outline; and
  • Listing what NEW assets need to be created, including graphics, video, animation, and audio requirements.

Eighty percent of the instructional design happens during this step. After this point, the ID work focuses more on writing and storytelling. 

5) Internal Outline Review and Detailed Schedule for eLearning Development

The project manager, instructional designer, and creative lead should meet together to review the outline. The creative lead is often able to provide vital input to make the interactive or animated segments better or alternative ideas to be included in the outline as possibilities. 

A high-level schedule may have been drafted a little earlier in the process as the content requirements became clear. At this point, it is time for the team to create a full detailed schedule, which will show the client when the various review cycles are during the eLearning development process. (We will detail what this schedule may include in a later post.)

The common mistake associated with this step is trying to schedule any portion of the creative work before content is fully approved. It is the primary way money and time are wasted in eLearning media development.

6) Outline and eLearning Development Schedule Review Meeting

The purpose of this meeting is to review the outline document and collect client feedback. In most cases, no or minimal changes are needed. That’s because the content meetings held earlier in the process tend to develop a clear picture of how the eLearning needs to unfold, and the outline is a reflection of this. Also during this step, the schedule is reviewed and adjusted, as needed.

7) Outline and eLearning Development Schedule Edits

If any changes were requested to the outline, that document must be updated, which usually only takes a few days at most. The exception is when new content was added. If this happens, additional content meetings are scheduled, as needed. Whenever changes are made to the outline, the draft schedule must also be revisited to see if updates are necessary.

8) Outline and Final eLearning Development Schedule Approval Meeting

If any other changes to the outline or schedule are needed, they are usually made during this meeting so final approval can be given.

9) Scripting / Light Storyboard Development

Next, the instructional designer creates a script or storyboard with visual asset notes. The initial draft typically does not include test questions because changes to the storyboard could require them to be reworked. 

During the writing process, we almost always involve a second editor or writer. We have a saying about writing that we apply even to ourselves: “People like two types of writing: good writing and their own writing.”

People like two types of writing: good writing and their own writing.

Even the best writers are not always the best evaluators of their own work. 

Another step we always take is listening to the script being read aloud, either by another team member or computer-generated audio. We have never seen a script escape important changes as a result of this auditory review.

10) Internal Script Review Meeting

People called to develop creative and interactive elements must have the opportunity to review the ideas for them. Very small tweaks at this point can often dramatically improve the final eLearning experience. Unrealistically scripted interactions can be modified to be in line with the budget and schedule.  The team can ask questions about existing assets, and the list of new assets can be considered in light of the development budget.  Even the narrative flow can be evaluated against planned visual ideas. When this review step is skipped and issues are recognized after client approval, it is very awkward to correct them.

One of the worst mistakes you can make at this point is to send a script or storyboard off for client review without giving representatives of the whole team a chance to review the script.

Also, if a visual or interaction described is unclear, a graphic or quick sketch can be created and included in the storyboard to communicate the vision of what is to be developed. Even grabbing a screenshot from a previous project can be helpful. For instance, “The game described here will look similar to this image from another course.”

Now we have seen a lot of development teams expend a lot of effort at this point in new asset creation.  We strongly recommend against doing so. Right now in the process, the client has only approved an outline. It is much better to save your development hours for a more fully approved script. The client may still have some really good ideas coming that could totally change the planned graphics. If you limit yourself during this step to descriptions and existing visual examples, incorporating any new good ideas from the client is quite painless.

11) Client Script Review Meeting

Normally this script or storyboard document is also reviewed in a client meeting, and feedback is recorded.  Depending upon the client’s experience eLearning development and the complexity of the project, a storyboard walk-through and narrative read can be helpful here.

12) Application of Client Feedback

Client feedback is incorporated into the storyboard. If the feedback was significant, another round of meetings is necessary. If the feedback was extremely minor, the document can simply be sent back to the client for for approval. Test questions should also be created and included with this final storyboard draft.

Again, the key is to value everyone on the team and get their buy-in before sending something back to the client for approval.

If changes were made to parts that impact creative media, the instructional designer runs these by the creative media team before sending the storyboard back to the client. After all, a single out-of-place sentence can throw a wrench in a planned animation. Also, something that seems like a small requirement change to a game or interaction may make a bigger development impact than a non-developer might realize. Involving the team again at this step avoids many potential issues later.

13) Client Approval Meeting

This meeting is usually held to review changes made to the storyboard since the last draft, make any remaining tweaks, and get final approval. Now that you have a final storyboard, you are ready for full production to begin.

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A Professional Partner in the Process

If you are looking for a team of eLearning professionals to guide you through these steps as well as media development, Branch Media has the resources and expertise for successful results. We deliver quality solutions to large corporations, small businesses, and non-profits. Contact us to learn more about our custom eLearning courses, eLearning games, creative video production, and dynamic websites and applications.

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eLearning Scope or RFP Checklist for Realistic Quotes

eLearning Scope or RFP Checklist for Realistic Quotes

ElearningLMS

How do you correctly scope an eLearning project? In the last twenty years, we have estimated and bid a lot of eLearning projects. Correctly scoping a project is key to a project’s success. This checklist is what we use to clarify what is known and what is unknown. If you use this list of questions as a guide when describing your project in an RFP, you will get better bids. It’s critical for the Request for Proposal to include details to allow others to realistically estimate the project. Even if you’re creating the eLearning internally, using this checklist will help you set the framework for your project.

Audience

In other articles, we have made the case that understanding your audience is the most important step in any eLearning development process. Your audience impacts your eLearning scope. Therefore, it makes sense that the initial questions you consider should be about your audience rather than your content.

The audience size, background, education, and motivations greatly influence the design of the eLearning.

  • What is the age range of the audience?
  • How big is the audience?
  • What type of background and education does the audience have?
  • What are the key motivators this audience would have for taking this training?
  • What is the primary language the audience, or does the eLearning need to be available in multiple languages?
  • What would motivate the audience to take the proposed training?
    • Job requirement that will be checked?
    • Clear job advancement path?
    • One of several options for general knowledge/skill enhancement?
    • One of many options for the audience to gain this specific knowledge?
    • Benefits and/or salary?
    • Safety and/or compliance?
    • Other?
  • Why would the eLearning matter to them? Be specific.
  • What would be the reasons they would skip it?
  • How much time do the learners actually have to give to this topic? Hours or minutes?
  • How important is this course compared with competing tasks and other training for this audience?
  • How valuable is the work time of those being asked to take this training?
  • Does the audience have a positive or negative view of eLearning in general?
  • Will the audience perceive eLearning to be the preferred delivery method for training?
  • What platforms or devices will the audience use to watch the eLearning?
  • What type of environments will the learners be in?  Will it be conducive to audio interactions?

Purpose

The purpose of the training also impacts the eLearning development scope. Communicating this clearly up front will help the developers understand key details.

What are the reasons for creating this training?

  • Correcting existing problems in job performance?
  • Addressing a felt need or business opportunity in the marketplace?
  • Reducing help-desk support needs?
  • Job performance goals associated with the training?
  • Standardized test achievement goals associated with the training?
  • Legal, compliance, or safety goals associated with the training?
  • Rolling out a new program corporate wide?
  • Updating product or sales training?
  • Other?
  • Generating sales and revenue? (More on this below.)

Why is eLearning specifically being considered over other training methods?

  • Saving money by moving away from traditional training?
  • As a secondary option to classroom training or live events?
  • Creating a more consistent training experience?
  • Broader market without expanded workforce?
  • If eLearning will be replacing a current training delivery method, what are the issues with the previous delivery method?
  • Other?

Financial Impact

If there is a clearly definable financial impact of either having or not having successful training on this topic, that should be defined. This information can impact the eLearning scope as certain things may be more important in the development process.

To be able to truly judge the success of a project, clearly define the financial expectations, if any, in as much detail as possible.

  • Is the expectation to save money, earn money, or neither?
  • Is the course to be sold? If so, how?
  • If the purpose is to save money? If so, how?
  • Will the eLearning be used it to replace current training?
  • Will the eLearning be used to save money on travel, staffing, etc.?
  • How does the eLearning support other financial business goals?

Existing Material

Identification of existing material is one of the biggest impacts of eLearning scope. Asking a team to scope a project without providing complete access to the existing material is a waste of time because all they will be able to do is guess.

The condition and completeness of the existing course material impacts the schedule, budget, and strategy for eLearning development more than any other factor besides the audience.

Creating an eLearning storyboard from a current and well written manual is a much different task than creating a storyboard from undocumented material that only exists in the minds of subject matter experts. The more information provided about the current material, the more accurate any vendor’s estimate will be on actual course development.

  • Is there existing course material?
  • If so, what is the current format of the course material?
    • PowerPoint Slides?  If yes, do they include full speaker notes?
    • Do the following exist?
      • Well-defined learning objectives?
      • Test questions?
      • Classroom activities?
      • Student or teacher manuals?
      • Artwork, photos, charts, or diagrams?
      • Audio, multimedia, or video material?
      • Other?
  • How accurate is the current course material?
    • Has the current material been reviewed by the best subject matter experts recently?
    • Is the current material published so that feedback from leadership and the general student population is current?
    • Approximately how much of the material needs to be updated and changed?  Is there firm agreement internally from key decision makers, in-house subject matter experts (SME), and/or approvers about what is required?
    • How much research will be needed to document the content changes?
  • Do SME’s have 100% of the knowledge needed to provide and review the course content?  If not, what type of outside SME or research is needed? 
  • In addition to existing documentation, how many different people will need to be interviewed and involved to ensure complete coverage of the needed material?
  • Who are the specific subject matter experts and decision makers, and what is their availability to support this project?
  • How much time will be required for each content review cycle to ensure all subject matter experts and key decision makers have time to review the content and collaborate on final directional decisions?
  • Is there a need for the new course to go through a senior leadership and or legal review process?
  • Is the content of the existing material fully owned by the client, or is it content in the public domain? Are there any copyright restrictions that need to be considered as the client works to create a new course? Teachers can often use copyrighted material in a classroom. They can refer to books and materials as references. However, you may need special written permission to turn that same training into eLearning, even if you are only distributing it internally. eLearning is a form of publishing, so different rules apply. There is a certain amount of content you can quote and source, but you cannot use and quote one source, or you are basically just stealing content.

If this eLearning is a conversion of an existing course, before submitting the RFP to any vendor, get a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) signed by all bidding parties and provide all documentation and resources available on the current course content. If possible, you should also identify each section of content that needs to be significantly changed. Taking this step will yield bids that are far more accurate in both schedule and pricing.

Estimated Target Length of the eLearning

While the length of the training can be difficult to evaluate up front, you need to have a goal here in order to provide boundaries for the eLearning scope. This information can help a development team understand your vision and create a realistic budget for amount of training needed.

The estimated length can be for the entire program or broken down for each lesson and module.

Our experience over the years has been that while clients often have very specific targets for the length of the course, they often do not match their volume of material at all. Some general guidelines can help you estimate course length.

  • A complete day of classroom training can usually be converted into approximately four to five hours of eLearning.
  • If the eLearning is broken down into screens with spoken audio, there should usually be no more than 10 to 20 screens for 15 minutes of content.
  • To get an idea of the length of the content, read the current documented material aloud. Normal narrative pacing is around 120 to 130 words per minute, so if you are aiming for a short five-minute eLearning program, that is around 600 words. If you have 3,000 words in your source material, you are probably be looking at several five-minute modules, rather than just one.
  • To test the audience’s grasp of the content, there should be at least one or two questions pertaining to each learning objective. You may wish to have both a pre-test and a post-test. Just remember as you consider the target length of the eLearning that time must be allowed for the audience to answer these questions.
  • If activities or games are to be used within the training, time must also be allocated for these elements.

Schedule

Hopefully you know the old saying, “Fast, cheap, or good? Pick two.”

This is pretty much a law of reality. You can choose two of these, but hardly ever all three. It’s critical to budget enough time for the development to get the results you are looking for or to adjust your development method to match your schedule and budget. The schedule greatly impacts the scope.

  • When would you like the eLearning to be live?
  • When does the eLearning need to be live? (This is different than the question above, so consider it carefully.)
  • Does it make sense to try the eLearning with a pilot group first?

Other Considerations Related to eLearning Scope

Some of the items below naturally flow from the questions above, but it is good to make sure you have them all covered since they impact the eLearning scope.

  • How important is testing?
  • Do you want special features like randomized questions from a larger bank of questions?
  • Are students allowed to retake tests?  If so, how often?
  • What simulations you would like to include, if any?
  • Do portions of the training lend themselves best to video?
  • Are there portions of content you have a hard time imagining how they could be effectively taught through eLearning?
  • What do people like most about your current training or courses?
  • Do you have other eLearning modules already? Are they successful? What do you like or not like about them?
  • Can you supply examples of eLearning programs you feel have been effective for this audience in the past?
  • Can you supply examples of eLearning programs you feel have been a failure for this audience in the past?
  • Do you have a good style guide that matches your corporate branding for your eLeaning?
  • Wha branding resources can you provide?

New Asset Requirements (None, Low, Medium, High)

It is helpful to provide bidders an idea of what type of new assets you think will need to be created for this project. Even if you cannot provide this information, the eLearning team will consider these when formulating the bid.

  • Voice over?
  • Stock art?
  • Stock music?
  • Stock sound effects?
  • Custom illustrations?
  • Custom photography?
  • Custom videography?
  • Custom motion graphics?
  • Custom music?
  • Custom sound effects?
  • Scripting of simulations?

There’s a lot to consider for an eLearning scope. Thinking through these questions will help you whether you are developing eLearning internally or you are creating a descriptions so that your project can be estimated by others.

Target Budget

One of the wisest things you can do is give your vendors a target budget range for your work. This requires them to focus more on the description of the deliverables instead of just the cost.  You can buy a used car for $5,000 or you can get a new car for $85,000.  They won’t have the same features or functionality.  The same is true for eLearning.  Unless you get a true understanding of the quality of the deliverable, you cannot really evaluate a smaller bid from a larger one.  But if you can get all the vendor’s targeting your budget range, you can get an idea of what each can deliver for your budget and choose the best product.

Is your RFP clear?

Get a Free Evaluation of Your eLearning Scope

Now as you answer these questions, you have to do it in a way that makes sense to a third party.  Often clients are too close to their own projects to see how certain explanations would not make sense to others.  The end result is misunderstanding and quotes from various vendors that are either too low or too high.  Before sending out your RFP for your next eLearning project, Branch Media would be glad to evaluate it to make sure you have included the detailed scoping information in a way that will be clear to third parties.  Of course we would also like the opportunity to bid on your work. Contact us to arrange a free analysis or a bid.

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Planning for eLearning Development

Planning for eLearning Development

ElearningLMS

There are many ways to approach eLearning development. In this article,we introduce the common phases of traditional eLearning development. As we look at each phase, we will also provide some general scoping recommendations as you consider the eLearning course budget. After we walk through the traditional approach, we will briefly highlight some alternative approaches to both eLearning and eLearning development.

Traditional eLearning Phases of Development

Traditional eLearning projects have at least four phases of development.

1) Design / Style Guide Phase

Successful projects have a design phase where instructional design rules are set and graphic design and style for the programs are established. Usually this is a one-time event for a series of programs. Often the team creates a template during this phase so all contributors can get a visual idea of what the training will eventually look like.

This initial, one-time design phase may take 16 to 60 hours of effort, depending on what the team has to start with.

2) Research / Instructional Design / Writing Phase

In this phase, instructional designers work with subject matter experts to create an outline, learning objectives, and then a storyboard. This document includes explanations of all interactions, voice over, sound effects, music, videos, and other visual assets needed. Often sketches, photos, and other artwork add visual impact to the storyboard.

Depending on the complexity of the project and the existing documented content, allocate from one third to one half of the eLearning course budget for this phase.

3) Asset Creation Phase

During this critical phase, the team creates and organizes all the assets needed for the final course. This can include finalizing voice over, music, video, sound effects, illustrations, animations, stock art, custom photos, and more. If needed, the client may participate in multiple review cycles.

Depending on the complexity of the project, this phase often requires one fourth to one third of the eLearning course budget. This phase will be more expensive if the program requires significant custom-created video, music, animation, or photography.

4) Programming / Production Phase

This is the technical phase of the project involving tools or templates specifically designed for eLearning development. During this phase, all interactions are programmed and the assets are assembled into a product matching the approved storyboard. The final program also goes through quality assurance testing and approvals. It is important to note that most eLearning development tools address only this phase of development.

Depending on the complexity of the project, allocate one fourth to one third of the eLearning course budget for this phase.

For a more detailed look at the traditional eLearning development process, take a look at these two articles.

Other Types of eLearning and eLearning Development

The traditional approach above has both pros and cons. Today there are competing development processes (Agile, Spiral, etc.), but these approaches often focus on eLearning development like it is software development. Sometimes these methodologies fit great for a given project and lead to new discoveries. But sometimes they actually waste time and money rehashing things that really have been solved multiple times in previous eLearning evolution.

Beyond the methodologies used, there are different KINDS of eLearning. Each of these kinds of eLearning usually fit better into one development approach or another.  There is exploratory and scenario based eLearning, there is adaptive eLearning that adjust content to the users previous knowledge, there is game based eLearning utilizing competition and fun to communicate important learning objectives. These are just a few examples.

But now that we have covered the traditional approach at a high level, lets dive into a few other types of development processes, which are modifications of the traditional approach above.

Conversion Instead of Development

There are some cases where the second and third phases listed above can be greatly minimized. If the training already exists in another format, then the focus can sometimes be on purely converting the existing training to an online format. This greatly reduces the cost of creating the eLearning material and can yield very nice results.

One very common example of this is Live Event Conversion. It is a specific type of conversion project where the creative team simply captures a live event, edits that event to remove any non-relevant material, and adds logical organized navigation and some interaction. If done with skill, the final result is a solid eLearning experience for a drastically reduced cost. This is a great format to use when the content is subject to change or the delivery timeline is short. The weaknesses of this approach is that if the presenters fail to cover important content, the eLearning also fails to cover this content.

But if you aggressively edit a live event, you will find you can compress the time needed to communicate the material down to about half of the time required by the live event. Live events are social in nature. Much of the time is spent covering logistics, introductions, and off-topic material. All of these are benefits for a live event, but they can usually be skipped when converting the training to an online format.

Documentary-Style eLearning

This type of eLearning development merges phases two and three of a traditional approach together. You both gather assets and do research at the same time. Instructional designers and some subject matter experts come together to draft an outline of the topics to cover and the questions they would like the training to answer. They also define the intended audience and the level of depth for the training. But they do not get into scripting content yet.

Instead, a team is put together to capture documentary-style footage. They may conduct interviews with experts and leaders, follow a person around to document experiences, etc.  The team will usually shoot and transcribe many hours of footage.

The instructional designers then build a eLearning storyboard around this footage, filling in narration when needed and adding interactions when appropriate.  So in this type of development, much of the asset creation (video footage) is already completed by the time the storyboard is finalized.

This style of eLearning is a great approach when the real content expertise rests with many people, possibly with views that challenge each other. Instead of scripting a lot of narration, content experts speak to the content directly. This usually creates very compelling material for the intended audience. They enjoy hearing from people they respect instead of scripted narration.

This type of project lends itself well to the Agile approach. Rough edits and portions can be created and reviewed by teams, and dramatic changes can be made without really greatly impacting the cost of the project. But this type of project can also be developed with a more traditional approach also.

Teaching Through Gaming

This type of eLearning is very unique. Language training programs like Duolingo utilize this technique greatly. Instead of the users ever just sitting back and listening to any instructions, they learn the material by trial and error in some sort of game format. But this gaming type of eLearning works for other topics besides languages. We have successfully covered a wide variety of topics with this approach. It has some real strengths with regards to learners retaining the knowledge. Through the gaming experience, learners respond to similar questions multiple ways. The gaming aspect keeps the repetition from being boring.

The development process for this type of training is very different from other forms of eLearning. The instructional design team and the subject matter experts write learning objectives. Next, they write a series of factual statements that make up the knowledge for each learning objective. Then the team reviews the factual statements and writes a variety of different questions. There might be five different types of questions or more created all about the same factual statement. Organized logically in a database, they are prepared to be used in a series of different game-type interactions.

The eLearning engine tracks a user’s interactions with the various eLearning objects. Then as concepts are mastered, the gaming gradually introduces new concepts.

It is a real challenge and pleasure to create this type eLearning. This type of eLearning is also growing in popularity, and it is great with an Agile approach. Game prototypes can be made without the final content, and the gaming experience can be evaluated and tweaked. In fact, without this type of cycle to evaluate the gaming experience, the project will usually fall flat.

Some audiences work better with a game environment than others. Some enjoy the free form atmosphere of getting a higher and higher score as they learn more of the content, but others tend do want a more structured approach and a test.

Other Types

This only scratches the surface of the various types of eLearning possible.  But hopefully you have found it helpful as you think about your next eLearning project.  If you want to look into greater detail into a traditional approach, see this post.

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What Approach Best Suits Your Needs?

Whether undertaking an eLearning project seems overwhelming, you need “fresh eyes” to make sure you’re using the right type of eLearning for your subject matter and audience, you could benefit from la carte resources to help get you through a bottleneck in development, or you are looking for professionals who can develop engaging and effective training your audience can take on their computer or mobile phone, Branch Media is here to help. Our team of professionals has the expertise to carry you through every phase of eLearning development and get your message across effectively.

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lms-listings-preview

List of Learning Management Systems (LMS)

ElearningLMS

Understanding LMS Capabilities

A Learning Management System (LMS) is software that automates the administrative tasks of training. Such tasks include registering users, tracking courses in a catalog, recording data, charting a user’s progress toward certification, and providing reports to managers. The LMS also serves as a platform to deliver eLearning to students. There are many Learning Management Systems on the market, and their prices and functionality vary greatly. The courses Branch Learning develops work with any modern LMS. If you are exploring your options, the list of Learning Management Systems we compiled below will be especially helpful.

Choosing the right LMS can seem daunting. Sometimes off-the-shelf solutions are overkill and over budget to meet the business need. (Learn more in our article “Limitations of Off-the-Shelf LMS Software.”)

Branch Media can help you:

  • Maximize the use of your existing Learning Management System;
  • Choose the right off-the-shelf solution for your specific training needs; and even
  • Create a custom solution that allows you to track and analyze learners’ progress at a fraction of the cost of off-the-shelf solutions.

Popular Learning Management Systems

All the marketing messages below are from the various vendors and are not an endorsement from Branch Learning.  This list of Learning Management Systems was last updated on 4/27/2023.  

Absorb LMS

Powerful and flexible learning management system. Designed for every device and screen size with HTML5.
www.absorblms.com

Acorn LMS

Acorn is an intuitive Australian cloud-based LMS software that makes creating eLearning fast and easy. Produce personalised learning paths, easily design and tailor workflows, and quickly populate SCORM or TinCan content. Acorn is mobile-ready and integrates with all HR systems to automate administration tasks. It can also track your teams progress with sophisticated reporting. Acorn aims to make the management of staff training and compliance easy. https://acornlms.com/

Atrixware’s Learning Management System

Provides online learning management system (LMS) that can be used for creating, integrating, tracking, and managing courses, quizzes, and presentations.
www.atrixware.com

Auzmor Learn

Auzmor Learn is a learning management solution (LMS) that is very easy to use and makes learning fun and engaging. It is a scalable cloud-based LMS platform for mid-sized and large enterprises.

It helps build highly interactive courses and pull in ready made courses. It supports both on-demand and instructor-led training that provide blended learning experience. Integrates with HRIS and performance management tools to keep user data in sync. Social learning and gamification along with the mobile app for learnings give an engaged learning experience

Moreover it has highly customizable reports and insights that help admins and managers stay informed and drive success.
www.auzmor.com

BlueVolt

Aligning your channel partners with your go-to-market strategy is no light lift—as is building a culture of learning inside your company so that everyone is rowing in the same direction. We get that, and we’ve changed the equation in your favor. The BlueVolt LMS is not just technology; it’s a flexible solution for channel-oriented companies, especially those in skilled trades.
www.bluevolt.com

Coggno.com

Provides publishers the opportunity to sale online training courses through their user-friendly online training marketplace.
www.coggno.com

Conductor

Sage Corporation’s employee training tracking administration software.
www.Conductit.com

Cornerstone OnDemand Enterprise

Cornerstone provides an extensible platform to build completely integrated Learning Management, Performance Management, Content Management, and Compliance Management systems.
www.cornerstoneondemand.com

dita Solutions

dita Solutions offers a comprehensive LMS to suit any business training model, consisting of the dita Creator, dita Player, dita Manager and dita Dashboard. dita’s platform is completely cloud based, allowing the administrator to create and manage training resources from a central location. Content is responsive to the device it is being displayed through via the online Player, while results are automatically processed through the background and consolidated within the dita Manager.
www.ditasolutions.com.au

Docebo

An easy-to-use LMS to manage, deliver, and track ILT and WBT activities. Available for global clients in more than 30 languages, Docebo is a robust and extendable LMS that brings to the market a pure SaaS solution including the option to activate an Enterprise Cloud Solution (ECS) App which allows the LMS to run on a dedicated Cloud instance. Docebo delivers a mobile-ready, off-the-shelf, and fully integrated solution that is scalable.
www.docebo.com

DuPont

This eLearning platform allows you to set up, administer and track individualized, interactive training programs for literally thousands of employees from a single web interface.
www.training.dupont.com

Education Director

The web-based LMS from Results Direct that was developed specifically for organizations to deliver and administer eLearning.
www.resultsdirect.com

EduWave

EduWave is a Common Core compliant solution that integrates a Learning Management System (LMS), Student Information System (SIS), and Communication and Collaboration Tools (CC) into one, easy-to-use solution that is hosted in the “Cloud.”

EduWave adapts and grows schools in order to ensure they are running as efficiently and effectively as possible with its multiple tools. It links innovative Learning Standards, assessment questions, images, multi-media and more to specific learning standards that align with the Common Core Standards as well as the specific state standards. This along with the Smart Teacher™ technology, Adaptive Assessment, and BookZero™ tools that will empower schools to offer individualized instruction specifically for any area.
www.itgsolutions.com

EthosCE Learning Management System

EthosCE is a web-based content and learning management system that allows for the creation of courses, quizzes, exams and tests as well as manage users, collect feedback, and track outcomes.
www.ethosce.com

eTrainCenter

eTrainCenter is an LMS and LCMS that combine rich and flexible tools with content management capabilities, customization of the learning experience, and integration with an institution’s existing infrastructure.
www.etraincenter.com

FlexTraining Total eLearning Solution

This software package includes a web-based configuration wizard, course authoring, enrollment, reporting, testing, virtual lockers, and libraries.
www.FlexTraining.com

Gyrus

Gyrus Systems is a US-based training solutions software company founded in 1987 that provides Learning Management Systems (LMS) to leaders in banking, finance, government, healthcare, manufacturing, non-profit, technology, utilities, law enforcement, and public safety. These companies choose Gyrus Systems’ GyrusAim Product Suite because it’s skill-centric for total management of learner competencies. It is capable of handling all instructor-led training, eLearning, virtual classrooms, social learning, training documentation, and more. Included in the Product Suite are the GyrusAim LMS, MobileAim for on-the-go training, and ImportAim for connecting to other enterprise applications. GyrusAim is offered in a cloud or installed solution and integrates with customer CRM, HR, and other systems for consistent data integrity. Please visit the Gyrus Systems website below for complete GyrusAim details.
www.gyrus.com

IBM Learning Solutions (SABA)

IBM offers learning strategy, delivery, infrastructure, outsourcing, and content services.
www.ibm.com

iLearning

Oracle offers an enterprise LMS that allows organizations to manage, deliver, and track participation of employees, customers, and partners in both eLearning and classrooms environments.
www.oracle.com

Informetica

This company provides an LMS that allows instructors with limited technical knowledge to create, manage, and deliver courses and exams online.
www.informetica.com

Inquisiq LMS

Inquisiq LMS, an award-winning learning management system (LMS), is a straightforward, robust solution with an intuitive user interface. It is ideal for training managers, HR directors, courseware sellers, SME’s, and corporate trainers of all sizes in a variety of industries. Inquisiq is a SCORM-compliant (1.2 and 2004) LMS and has proven compatibility with many popular authoring tools. It is a low-cost, flexible LMS with high levels of automation and advanced feature sets, rivaling the more costly systems.
www.inquisiq.com

Intuo

Intuo is a straightforward learning management system that enables you to improve performance through training and reporting tools. It is lightweight and thus very suitable for Saas company academies or for trade associations that need to train a group of diverse stakeholders. Because it trains diverse crowds, it really focuses on offering a user-friendly, sexy system that works engaging

Some of the features:

  • Organized libraries that store multiple file types
  • A complete breakdown of key data
  • Engaging course builder that supports SCORM
  • Create one course or many as tracks
  • Intuo provides eCommerce tools for eLearning
  • And many more

www.intuo.io

IntraLearn

IntraLearn’s Learning Management System provides configurable, feature-rich, enterprise-class solutions across various vertical markets.
www.intralearn.com

iSpring Learn

iSpring Learn is an easy-to-use LMS that has all the functionality that small and medium businesses could need. It has powerful capabilities both for user management and content creation and delivery. The platform is integrated with the robust iSpring Suite authoring toolkit that allows you to produce professional courses with quizzes and role-play simulations. You can also deliver blended learning programs by enrolling employees in self-paced courses, online training sessions, and offline events – and track their results and attendance.

Besides, iSpring Learn comes with a set of unique features that can be extremely helpful for SMBs. They include an organization chart, a supervisor’s dashboard, and an employee evaluation module.
ispringsolutions.com

Joomla LMS

This company offers hosting for eLearning courses and an LMS.
www.joomlalms.com

Knowledge Anywhere

Knowledge Anywhere is an eLearning industry veteran specializing in the development of results-oriented, need-specific training programs for the corporate business world. Knowledge Anywhere’s all-in-one product suite—consisting of an enterprise-ready Learning Management System, a robust Course Builder, and custom Course Development service—helps organizations provide just-in-time performance support to improve training consistency, accessibility, and effectiveness.
www.knowledgeanywhere.com

LatitudeLearning

Latitude CG, home of LatitudeLearning, is an industry leader in technology that helps companies drive performance through training, communication, measurement, incentives and consumer engagement. Channel Executives and Training Managers look to Latitude when they struggle to manage training across hundreds of locations or want to include performance metrics in their certification programs.

LatitudeLearning is the award-winning LMS that addresses the challenges faced when training in a partner or channel environment (i.e. franchise, agent, broker, reseller). Cloud-based, flexible and configurable, LatitudeLearning can be customized to your exact specifications to meet your unique training processes and workflows.

End your frustration with using multiple LMS’s to manage training. Latitude’s feature rich, enterprise LMS is offered at a budget-friendly price and can be tailored to your unique training needs. Train using the best. Train with LatitudeLearning.
www.latitudelearning.com/Partner-Training-LMS

Litmos LMS

Litmos offers easy to use online training software and Learning Management System.
www.litmos.com

Mentorware eLearning Platform

This system from Mentorware combines learning management and learning content management into one package.
www.mentorware.com

Meridian Knowledge Solutions LMS

Meridian LMS meets the needs of commercial, public sector, and member organizations with demanding learning requirements.
www.meridian.ks.com

Moodle

Easy to install, but sometimes challenging to configure, Moodle is a free web application that educators can use to create effective online learning sites. We recommend any group with a limited budget but plenty of manpower check this solution out. We also recently ran across this list of 10 alternatives to Moodle.
www.moodle.org

NEO LMS

NEO is the best learning management system (LMS) for managing all classroom activities. We focus on delivering a great learning experience, while incorporating all the essential tools schools need to support efficient teaching and learning.
www.neolms.com

ProProfs LMS

ProProfs Online Learning Management System is a simple, affordable and integrated SaaS learning management system for online training and education. It is an all-in-one software which includes online course & assessments creator, feedback tools such as online survey & poll software and even learning aids such as a flashcards maker. ProProfs LMS software provides a complete elearning and online training solution for educators, trainers, educational institutions and enterprises as well.
www.proprofs.com/training/lms-software/

Rustici Software

Rustic Software has several SCORM-related services including the Tin Can API and their SCORM Cloud LMS.
www.scorm.com

Saba Meeting

Saba offers hosting for eLearning courses and an LMS.
www.saba.com/products/learning

SimplyDigi

This company provides both LMS and LCMS systems.
www.simplydigi.com

Simplify LMS

Simplify LMS is a powerful but easy-to-use learning management system (LMS) which includes premium local service based out of Sydney, Australia. Easily create courses such as onboarding, compliance, product information, etc. using the in-built course builder, complete with assessments, assignments and surveys, or import your SCORM content. Powerful reporting functionality and automated notifications means you save a lot of administrative time. Also includes gamification, ecommerce, custom domain for a professional user experience, and more. Comes with a free trial and a 30 day money-back guarantee, and there’s no lock-in contract.

https://www.simplifylms.com.au

Skill Lake

Skill Lake is an LMS with capabilities like personalized learning paths, mentoring, gamification, dual learning options, and more.

Skill Lake is a unique LMS platform built to foster people’s development. Promoting personalization, micro-learning, gamification. Skill Lake streamlines training for improved knowledge retention and growth!

https://www.skilllake.com/

Skyprep

Skyprep online training software is simple and intuitive. Upload existing content, create quizzes, and track employee progress with easy-to-use reporting tools. Don’t let building courses intimidate you. Create online courses and tests with ease.
www.skyprep.com

SmarterU

FACT: 98% of SmarterU clients would happily refer us to a colleague – and they DO! Why? We’ve got ALL the LMS features they need in a beautiful interface backed by amazing training and support. Our clients say they have never worked with a more responsive vendor – Affordable and scalable LMS serving hundreds of clients over multiple industry sectors – Dynamic learning plans – Groups and sub-accounts – Role automation and training checklists – Knowledge base – Instructor-led training and venue management – Custom and scheduled report builder – Built-in course creation and SCORM compliant. Admins get certified through the SmarterU Academy. Online help system at help.smarteru.com. Eight major software updates annually deliver continuous improvement.
Email sales@smarteru.com for more info.
www.Smarteru.com/lmscapterra

SumTotal

Docent and Click2Learn combined into a new company. Since there was a lot of overlap in their product lines, it will be interesting to see what their “new” products look like.
www.sumtotalsystems.com

Syberworks

This company offers a web-based Learning Management System (LMS) ⁄ Learning Content Management Suite (LCMS) designed to facilitate the development, dissemination, measurement, and management of corporate knowledge to improve productivity and performance.
www.syberworks.com

Thinking Cap

We created the Thinking Cap Learning Management System (LMS) to make cloud-based online learning and training better for everyone. It’s easy to set up, completely customizable, and totally secure. It’s flexible enough to handle as many learners as you need it to – and robust enough to deliver detailed tracking and reporting on each and every one of them.
www.thinkingcap.com

TOPYX Social LMS

TOPYX is an easy-to-use, hosted learning management system (LMS) with award-winning social learning tools integrated into the eLearning software to provide an engaging and collaborative online learning experience for organizations of any size.
www.topyx.com

Xyleme LCMS

Xyleme offers hosting for eLearning courses and an LCMS.
www.xyleme.com

Ziiva Prosperity™ Learning Management System

Ziiva offers this LMS as a totally customizable solution. Both the LMS and the company are extremely flexible and fun to work with. Prosperity is a scalable, comprehensive platform. You can host it in-house or have Ziiva provide hosting.  Branch Learning™ has worked with many different LMS systems, and, over the years, we grew very impressed with the Ziiva Prosperity system.
www.ziiva.com

Similar Lists of Learning Management Systems:

Get Your LMS on This List of Learning Management Systems!

If your LMS is not listed, send us a note and we would be happy to add it.

The Business Case for eLearning

The Business Case for eLearning

ElearningLMS

No matter how qualified and competent employees are, there will always be a need for training.

Efficient, Cost-Effective Training

Whenever a company introduces a new product or service, implements a new business process or software application, modifies its structure or goals, or seeks to make improvements in overall operations, training is critical. The question is, “Which method of training yields the best results?”

For years, traditional classroom training was the only practical option. But scheduling this type of training has become more and more difficult as the pace of business increases. And it’s even more so when an organization has a staff that is geographically dispersed.

Done correctly, eLearning is the perfect complement to a traditional training program. While a company will still have need for personal interaction and mentoring, a large amount of the instruction can be effectively put online. eLearning is an ideal means to communicate information, simulate processes, and test knowledge.

Key Advantages of eLearning

  1. Eliminate wasted time and money.

    With traditional training, the more people being trained and the more geographically dispersed they are, the greater the training costs. Often, the money isn’t even spent on the actual training; it goes toward airfare, lodging, the salaries of everyone being trained, meals, refreshments, and often conference room rental. With eLearning, the cost stays the similar whether you’re training 100 people or 1,000 people, and 100% of your training dollar goes toward training.

  2. Condense training.

    eLearning allows participants to focus on the information they really need. A traditional class that lasts two days and has an attendance of 25 people per class can be often converted to six to eight hours of eLearning, saving the company 200 hours per training session.

  3. Improve productivity.

    With eLearning, employees can receive training anytime and anywhere—at work, home, or flying cross country. Your sales team can train during down-time so it doesn’t interfere with business. Many modern eLearning approaches break down training into five- to 10-minute sessions.

  4. Improve consistency and effectiveness.

    eLearning makes sure that all of your trainees are getting consistent instruction that is easy to document.

  5. Evaluate learning retention.

    eLearning provides built-in measurement of employee knowledge. Both pre- and post-assessments can be incorporated into any program.

  6. Provide risk-free simulations.

    eLearning can simulate real-life situations so you can train your employees how to use complex software or handle touchy situations in a risk-free environment.

Budgeting for eLearning

eLearning programs are not one-size-fits-all. It’s important to weigh the purpose, audience, and the complexity of the topic before determining what kind of eLearning program to adopt. Branch Media can provide valuable insights into the cost of eLearning development and maintenance, as well as the money you will save in the process.

Contact us today and let our knowledgeable consultants help you plan your next eLearning initiative.