Learning Management Systems (LMS) Gotchas

I regularly read Tracy Hamilton's blog. She's been writing about getting a new LMS. I hate to say it, but this is likely not going to go well. It will be fun to keep reading about it, probably much better than having to be Tracy during the process. In her latest post: What's Happening With My New LMS?!?! she tells us:

Oh and my little meeting about my job role and what path this LMS will lead me down. NOTHING!!!! We can't possibly discuss that until we have the tool in place and know exactly in what capacity we will use the darn thing.

Uh oh. They are bringing in an LMS and they don't know how they'll use it nor do they know who will be responsible in what ways for the LMS. Ouch.

For the eLearningGuild, I wrote a description of the 10 Gotchas in LMS Selection, Installation and Configuration as part of their Research Report on Learning Management Systems. I'm not sure I can publish the details of my section in my blog, but the abstract is available for the report (and has some good stuff in it). Luckily it has the Table of Contents for my section which lists my Gotchas:

• Gotcha #1 – Starting With an Unrealistic Expectation of What You Need
• Gotcha #2 – Missing a Key Stakeholder
• Gotcha #3 – Failing to Get Agreement on the Process with Key Stakeholders
• Gotcha #4 – Failing to Identify Key Differentiating Use Cases
• Gotcha #5 – Coupling Content Authoring with LMS Selection
• Gotcha #6 – Not Testing a LMS
• Gotcha #7 – Failing to Ask a Critical Question or Two
• Gotcha #8 – Poor Contract Negotiations
• Gotcha #9 – Tripping on the Models
• Gotcha #10 – Customization

So far it appears that Tracy's company has hit Gotchas 1, 4, and 6. Likely also several others.

Tracy, keep up the reporting!