10 Qualities to Consider When Choosing an e-Learning Provider

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Choosing the right e-learning provider is an important, and

often lofty, task. There are many qualities to consider in a

learning content design and development company that

will help shape your organization’s workforce, generate ROI,

and produce results.

Selecting a business partner is as much about the

relationship as it is about marking off qualities on a

checklist. The cornerstone of a process for vendor

consideration is about asking potential business partners

the right questions.

So, here are 10 important qualities to consider when

choosing an e-learning provider, as well as suggested

questions to ask potential partners during the search and

selection process.

Intro

The Research Institute of America found that the e-learning experience increases the retention rate

25-60%. This is due to the learner having control over the learning process as well as providing them

with an opportunity to revisit the training as needed, which is ideal for infrequent users.

e-Learning – A Strategy for Maximizing Human Capital in the Knowledge Economy

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Quality 1: Performance & business impact is the targetNot all e-learning is alike. Online information delivery

is different from high quality, performance-changing

learning experiences. You, the client, and the e-learning

provider should establish and agree on quality as it relates

to targeted business outcomes and learner performance

goals throughout the partnership.

• Is the e-learning provider focused on business

outcomes as they relate to performance targets and

learner needs?

• What is the e-learning provider’s view on budget

allocation based on levels of learning and

organizational impact?

• Does the candidate know the difference between flashy

media and effective instructional design?

Quality 2: Ability to collaborate effectivelyDesigning and developing effective learning experiences

for your business requires a company that actively and

professionally collaborates with you and your team.

• Does the provider have a process that focuses on

collaboration throughout all phases of design and

development?

• Does the e-learning company offer its partners internal

training and support on the collaborative processes and

tools they use for development and implementation?

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Quality 3: Effective communication Effective and open communication is the key to any

successful relationship, and it’s something to ask about

early in the process.

Does the provider have a process, strategy, and history

of showcasing effective communication throughout the

design and development process?

• What kind of collaboration tools do they use?

• How responsive, accessible, and flexible is the vendor?

• Does the vendor’s culture align with your culture?

• Do they provide established report schedules?

Quality 4: Clear and defined process The surest way to determine the potential of an e-learning

company is to understand their process. There is comfort

and confidence in knowing how phases of design and

development, meetings, and reviews will work and if the

candidate’s process will compliment your culture, team,

project goals, timeline, and budget.

• Do they have a clearly defined and stated process

which you can review and discuss, or is every project a

specialized approach?

• What instructional design and development expertise

do they have?

• What project management experience do they have?

• Are their processes based on current models or

outdated processes?

• Are their people properly trained and certified on their

process?

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Quality 5: Examples of success

Take a test drive before you buy. Let’s be honest, a broad

portfolio of past and current offerings provides clear

insight into the type of work you can expect from an

e-learning partner. Review each candidate’s work to gain a

good grasp on the breadth, depth, and quality they deliver

for their clients.

Quality 6: Offer a timely approach

Next to achieving budgetary expectations, the biggest

hurdle for any e-learning project is meeting deadlines. Your

time is important, and a potential partner should have

a plan and a record of making the most of the time you

commit to the project.

• Does the candidate have a proven track record of

meeting time commitments?

• Can the candidate assure meeting delivery dates?

• Do they offer a timeline or process to meet project

goals?

• Will they openly help you understand risks? The last

thing you need is agreement to a schedule only to find

out later that the timeline was unreasonable and that

key stakeholders have to be notified of the impact and

delay.

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Quality 7: Strategic consultation Every learning development project is unique. While many

basic learning design and development strategies are

consistent, employing them in a manner to address specific

organizational and training needs is critical to success.

• Does the e-learning company possess the people and

learning strategy expertise to identify and address your

organization’s unique training project challenges and

opportunities?

• What value-add does the provider offer beyond design

and development?

Quality 8: Time in the industry

Nothing demonstrates success more than business

longevity. The e-learning industry is made up of an array

of companies large and small, young and old. How long

a potential candidate has been servicing its clients is an

important indicator of their ability to build and maintain

lasting relationships.

• How long has the candidate been operating in the

market?

• What is their seniority of employees? How much

experience does their staff have? (A mix of senior and

new is desirable.)

• How many projects or clients have they worked with

over the years?

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Quality 9: Dedication to the craft

One thing which can set an e-learning provider apart

from the rest of the pack is their dedication to the craft of

development.

• Does this e-learning candidate participate in industry

activities which benefit the field at large?

• Is there a history of contributions to the field by the

professionals who work for the e-learning company?

Quality 10: Technology and creativity experts.

A critical consideration when reviewing potential providers

is expertise in technology and creativity. Technology and

creativity capabilities showcase a company’s currency

with media and technical trends, as well as their ability to

provide innovative solutions that meet your business and

training goals.

• Do they have technology development expertise and

ability to build the level of interactivity you require or are

seeking?

• Can they provide examples that showcase the technical

and media capabilities that will meet your learning

goals?

• Will their technology solutions work seamlessly with the

technology you have in place, including your LMS?

• Do they have technology solutions that create

efficiencies for your team to make updates or changes

to the product?

Boring and effective are mutually exclusive attributes in learning.

Michael AllenChairman & CEO, Allen Interactions

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