Key LMS Requirements and Features

We’ve onboarded over 100,000 users into our software selection platform. This has given us a wealth of insights into their usage patterns based on industry, company size and user persona. By leveraging this data, we’ve identified key requirements you should consider to minimize the risk of selecting the wrong software.

Our goal is to empower you to benefit from the collective experience of your peers who’ve embarked on the same journey before you.

We’ve put together a list of the most important LMS capabilities to look out for, along with our highest-rated solution for each requirement.

1. AI-Based Capabilities

AI-powered LMS solutions can analyze learner data to identify knowledge gaps and tailor content accordingly. AI also helps you create courses and assessments, generate reports, and provide real-time feedback and support.

AI-based content translations make it simple to offer your courses in multiple languages, creating a more inclusive learning experience. With AI-driven course recommendations, learners get personalized suggestions based on their past courses, skills and behaviors, keeping their journey relevant and engaging.

Personalize learning with AI chatbots. Source

AI-based tagging organizes content by automatically identifying key phrases, making resource finding quicker. AI-powered search ensures learners easily find what they need. Conversational AI adds a human touch, offering real-time support that feels natural, while NLP makes looking for specific topics within courses effortless.

2. Assessments

How can you know if your employees are really learning unless you can test them?

An exam editor is like a test-making toolkit. It provides multiple ways to assess employees, from simple multiple-choice to short essays. You can even mix up the questions so everyone gets a different test. Some solutions offer advanced branching tools to create unique tests for each employee, ensuring everyone gets the exact right training they need.

View detailed analytics on the dashboard. Source

Individualized lesson planning allows you to create personalized learning materials for, say, that employee who just got promoted, or for a team that’s taking on new tasks. Some systems even let you track how each person does in their training. Handy tools like quizzes and surveys show both learners and instructors where they shine and where they can brush up on their skills.

Ask Yourself:

• How will I test my employees to see what they’ve learned?
• Do I need different types of tests, like quizzes or hands-on projects?
• Should the system automatically grade tests and give feedback?
• Which types of reports do I need on employee performance?

• Anonymous Grading
• Automated Grading
• Create Assignments
• Question Repository
• Rubrics
• Surveys
• Test Builder
• Test Grading

Get our LMS Software Requirements Template

3. Collaboration

Communication is key when a team needs to get things done. Your LMS is like a virtual water cooler, giving everyone a place to shoot the breeze. It offers discussion boards where team members can hold a brainstorming sesh or share their thoughts on a project or a problem they’re tackling — anytime, anywhere.

Learners can hold Q/A sessions on the discussion board.

Peer reviews are another way to boost teamwork. Everyone gets to give feedback to their teammates, like a group pep talk that encourages constructive criticism. Teams can send messages back and forth, share useful stuff they’ve learned or even work together to create new content.

Some LMSs even have built-in video conferencing, so teams can have face-to-face meetings online. Or, if you prefer a quick chat, there are options for voice calls and personal messaging.

Ask Yourself:

• How important is it for employees to work together during training?
• Do I want them to discuss, chat or have virtual meetings in the system?
• Do I want to incorporate friendly competition or rewards to make learning more fun?
• Will managers need to track group projects or discussions?

• Announcements
• Content Sharing
• Discussion Board
• Group Chat
• Notes or Annotations
• Two-Way Messaging

4. Compliance

Ever wonder how online courses look the same, no matter what computer or device you use? That’s thanks to content standards! It’s the universal language for online learning.

SCORM has been a big player in this game for a long time, kind of like the gold standard. Most companies use either SCORM 1.2 or SCORM 2004 3rd Edition. But newer options like APIs are also becoming popular. Think of them as a superhighway connecting different learning systems.

For businesses working with the government, there are special tools that help you meet the rules set by organizations like the Office of Federal Contract Compliance. And for safety training, some systems even have features to make sure you’re following guidelines from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It’s like having a safety net built right in!

Ask Yourself:

• Are there any rules or regulations I need to follow for the training?
• Does the system need to keep track of who finished training and got certified?
• Is it important to have a record of everything that happens in the system?
• How secure does the system need to be to protect the company’s information?

• AICC
• COPPA
• FERPA
• LTI
• SCORM
• xAPI

Get our LMS Software Requirements Template

5. Content and Course Management

Want to create training that your team actually enjoys? That’s where engaging content comes in! Adding a little fun into the mix can sometimes be the difference between a boring lecture and a lively conversation. Luckily, many LMS vendors have tools that help you build interactive courses that keep learners hooked.

You can use different templates, colors and fonts to make things look interesting. But it’s not just about looks – you can also add images, videos and links to other resources. You can even give your courses a professional touch by adding your company’s logo and name.

You can ask for feedback from learners once they’ve finished a course. This helps you see how well your training is working and where you can improve.

Many LMS vendors offer ways to make learning more personal. You can create different courses for different people, or let learners pick the topics that matter most to their job. This way, everyone gets the training they need to succeed.

Ask Yourself:

• What kind of materials will I use for training (videos, documents, PPTs)?
• How easy should it be to create and update training courses?
• Will I offer different training options for different employees or departments?
• Will I need to track which employees have accessed or completed specific materials?

6. Ecommerce

Many LMS platforms offer built-in online stores to help you sell courses online. Employees and customers can browse a wide range of courses, from skill-building workshops to professional certifications. They can add the courses they like to their shopping cart and even get discounts if they’re available.

A secure payment system allows them to pay using their mobile wallets, gift cards or regular credit and debit cards.

Sell courses on a branded eCommerce platform. Source

Ask Yourself:

• Do I want to sell my training courses or materials to other companies or individuals?
• What payment methods would I accept (credit card, PayPal, etc.)?
• Would I offer discounts or bundles for multiple purchases?
• How important is it to track sales and revenue generated from training?

• Course Bundles
• Course Selling
• Discounts and Promotions
• Transaction History

7. Learning Delivery

Every employee has different learning needs, and how you deliver training goes a long way in meeting them. Virtual learning, face-to-face interactions, a mix of both or something else — an LMS supports many learning delivery methods. Here are a few:

• eLearning: All training happens online. Employees take courses, tests and read materials independently.
• Blended Learning: Some training is online, and some is in-person. For example, employees could complete basic courses online, and then get hands-on training at work.
• Instructor-Led Training (ILT): Employees learn directly from an instructor. This can be in a classroom, online or a mix of both.
• Asynchronous learning: Employees learn at their own pace, typically through microlearning resources, so they can continue learning despite their busy schedules.

Ask Yourself:

• How do I want my employees to access training (in-person, online, blended)?
• Do I need the system to work on different devices (computers, tablets, phones)?
• Should training be available anytime, or do I want scheduled sessions?
• Will I track how long employees spend on each training module?

Get our LMS Software Requirements Template

Case Study: Easterseals MORC

In 2014, Easterseals MORC Training started using an LMS but discovered that the software’s internal and external administrative functions were complicated, requiring extensive training on their part.

Using our Managed Selection Services, we provided an array of services to help the selection process. These included requirements gathering, gap analysis, vendor shortlisting and RFP creation, and — once the software was selected — onboarding, stakeholder conferences, response review and demo scorecards.

Easterseals MORC gathered their requirements using our starter requirements template. Our analyst team reviewed them and finalized a list of requirements to be considered in software evaluations.

We also conducted a gap analysis to quantify the weaknesses of the client’s current system and rated its features from zero (not supported) to 100 (fully supported) against the new requirements. Most features scored 50 or less.

We then identified 20 suitable LMS vendors, basing their recommendations on Easterseals MORC’s industry, functional needs, budget and timeline. We prepared an RFP package, including a questionnaire and guidelines, which they customized based on the client’s input before issuing it to the vendors.

Our advisory team onboarded vendors onto the RFP platform, offering training to ensure smooth collaboration. Vendor conferences followed, allowing Easterseals MORC, SelectHub and other stakeholders to discuss the RFP requirements in detail.

After collecting responses, we reviewed and validated them, compiling a pricing matrix that allowed Easterseals MORC to compare costs, such as implementation fees and user license costs. Based on the responses and pricing data, eight vendors were shortlisted.

We then organized two rounds of software demos: the first was vendor-led, highlighting relevant features, and the second involved use-case scenarios prepared by the client with SelectHub’s support. To assist in evaluating the demos, we developed a scorecard, helping Easterseals MORC to assess each vendor’s performance objectively.

Ultimately, based on the RFP process, pricing and demo scorecards, Easterseals MORC selected LearnUpon as their new LMS.

Kym Juntti, Director of Training at Easterseals MORC, concluded that SelectHub made the process systematic and informative, and made them feel “ready to make a selection.”

SelectHub helped us understand what we needed, what worked best for the environment we’re in and the customers we serve… a huge help in making the process easier for us.

Kym JunttiDirector of Training, Easterseals MORC

Easterseals MORC case study

FAQs

Get our LMS Software Requirements Template

Next Steps

If you’re ready to take the hassle out of determining your LMS requirements, our free requirements template makes it easy to choose and prioritize requirements based on your needs.

What do you think is the most important in finding a good LMS? Let us know in the comments below!