Get Stephen Johnson’s detailed Learning Management System (LMS) RFP template that lays out the core elements that every LMS RFP should include. Simply contact Stephen Johnson for your free copy. I also provide vendor-neutral LMS selection advice and am available as a consultant to help you with any of your LMS selection, custom content development, off-the-shelf course ware selection, and other online learning needs. I’ve worked on projects for IHOP, Vonage, Key Bank, Dannon Foods, Cricket Communications, Republic Services, Carl’s Junior, and many more, and I am sure I can be of service to you and your organization as well.

LMS Selection Phases

When deciding upon which Learning Management System (LMS) is best for your organization, it is important that you understand your organization’s short and long-term goals and that you evaluate LMS systems based upon their proven ability to support these goals.  There are literally dozens of LMS vendors, all with competing claims of superior support, technology, low cost, and more. To sift through the hype, you need an LMS acquisition strategy that includes, among other things, a comprehensive Request for Proposal (RFP). Other LMS selection phases include:

• Internal needs analysis (what features/functions do you require – an RFP template can get you started)
• Initial LMS Vendor List and Qualification (contact up to 10 vendors and ask them to complete your LMS RFP)
• Short List (evaluate the RFP responses and narrow down selection to top 3 vendors)
  • Ask for an “LMS Sandbox” to demo their product
  • Set up in-person or virtual demo meetings to evaluate product against RFP responses
• Make your selection

Learning Management System (LMS) Request for Proposal (RFP) Template Sample Image

eLearning DevCon 2009 Review

The eLearning DevCon 2009 event was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, as it is every year. The accommodations and ground transportation were excellent, and the event fee was a reasonable $895 (less for early registrations). The event focused on both hands-on and lecture-based sessions that were targeted directly at eLearning developers.

I have attended many events like this in the past, and I can say that without a doubt this event is more focused on actual eLearning development best practices, tips, tricks, and training than any other. Unlike many events that tend to be unfocused and high-level theory, this event was filled with informative and practical eLearning development sessions delivered by actual practitioners. The “Bring your Own Laptop” (or BYOL) sessions were particularly interesting and effective – so much so that the event organizers are going to sponsor future events that are strictly hands-on training for folks who bring their own laptops with them.

If you are looking for a great, real-world eLearning development seminar to attend, definitely consider eLearning DevCon. A more detailed review will be posted soon. I’m still digesting all of the material, reviewing my notes, etc.