Learning Management System RFP 1.7 - Lakewood Media Group€¦ · Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor Response Course and Curriculum Management Please describe the main features

Request for Proposal for a Cloud-BasedLearning Management System

Sample Questions for a Corporate LMS

Sample RFP for a Corporate Learning Management System

Saba Software, Inc. Confidential and Proprietary Page 2 of 23

Table of Contents...................................................................................................................................LMS Functional Requirements 3

...................................................................................................................................................................Usability 10

......................................................................................................................................................Mobile Learning 12

....................................................................................................................................................Blended Learning 13

....................................................................................................................................................External Learning 16

...........................................................................................................................................Reporting and Analytics 18

...............................................................................................................................................................Integration 19

..........................................................................................................Cloud (Software-as-a-Service) Environment 20

.........................................................................................................................................Implementation Services 21

.............................................................................................................................................Support Requirements 22

............................................................................................................................................Training Requirements 23

LMS Functional Requirements

Please use the following legend to indicate compliance with the requirement:

1 = Out-of-the-box

2 = Standard tailoring (i.e., no code re-write or programming)

3 = Customization required

4 = Partner

5 = Not available

Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseCourse and Curriculum ManagementCourse and Curriculum ManagementCourse and Curriculum ManagementCourse and Curriculum Management

Please describe the main features of your LMS and how it will help us reduce costs.What types of objects does the system support? How are these objects organized?Describe how a curriculum is developed and managed within the system.Can administrators add, update, reschedule, and remove courses quickly without requiring support from the IT organization?




Does the system allow administrators to manage learning plans?Can learning plans have an approval chain?Does the system maintain learners’ training histories regardless of changes in job function or location? Does the system support the ability to automatically assign learning (courses, curricula or certifications) to individuals or groups or enroll them in courses?Does the system support a single template for creating multiple offerings of the same course? What if the course is offered in multiple languages? How does the system handle new versions of an existing course? Are notifications sent to previously completed students?Does the system support the ability to override cut-off dates, prerequisites, waiting lists, and class location?Does the system support the ability to automatically assign learning (courses, curricula or certifications) to individuals or groups or enroll them in courses?Can the system assign learning by role, i.e., assign training to everyone in the system with the supervisor role (access should be limited to the supervisor’s direct and indirect reports)? Does the LMS support pushing and pulling required training on an automated basis based on preconfigured business rules?Can administrator functions be broken down and assigned to different people?Can the administration be restricted in terms of both functions and user populations? Does your product support sharing courses across multiple domains or groups in the organization?




Can the system restrict access to courses based on specific criteria (e.g., restrict by job function, location)?Can the system assign due dates for course completion?How does the system track multiple “tries” at a learning event?Describe the Content Authoring tools you offer?

Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseResource ManagementResource ManagementResource ManagementResource Management

Do calendars reflect resource availability (e.g., taking into consideration current resource bookings and holidays)?Does the system support the ability to manage qualified instructors? Can administrators associate specific types and quantities of inventory to a class?Can the system associate classrooms with a physical location?Can resources be associated with an hourly cost and calendar?Does the system allow administrators to run reports that show utilization rates and costs of resources?Does the system support the ability to track excess demand vs. planned class size for better resource planning? Describe the system’s ability to provide visibility into the future learning needs of the organization.

Number

LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor Response

RegistrationRegistrationRegistrationRegistrationDoes the system support the ability to require manager and/or administrator approval for course registration?What happens to enrollments if a class is cancelled?



Number


RegistrationRegistrationRegistrationRegistrationDescribe your waitlist functionality. Does the system allow administrators to manage waitlists?

Does the system support the ability to define prerequisites and restrict access to courses until the prerequisites are met?Does the system support the ability to enroll and un-enroll individual or groups manually?

Number LMS Requirement Compliance

Vendor Response

Content StandardsContent StandardsContent StandardsContent StandardsIs the system SCORM certified? If so, which version of SCORM is certified?Is the system AICC certified?

Does the system support the Americans with Disabilities Act/Section 508? Does the system support the EU “Right to Learn”? Does the system support third-party content integrations? Can the end-user access this content from within your proposed application without logging in separately to the content provider’s system?


Vendor Response

Course Evaluations, Testing, and AssessmentsCourse Evaluations, Testing, and AssessmentsCourse Evaluations, Testing, and AssessmentsCourse Evaluations, Testing, and AssessmentsDescribe the system’s testing and assessment capabilities.Does the system include an interface for writing and deploying test questions?Can the user view detailed results of their test performance?




Vendor Response

Course Evaluations, Testing, and AssessmentsCourse Evaluations, Testing, and AssessmentsCourse Evaluations, Testing, and AssessmentsCourse Evaluations, Testing, and AssessmentsDoes the system support the four fundamental levels of education: Reactions/opinions Learning improvement relative to

objectives Transfer of skills and knowledge for

practical application ROI or organizational changes that

are outcomes of the training program

Please describe support for each.Can online course and instructor evaluations be created and incorporated? Please describe.Does the system provide both pre-testing and post-testing capabilities (including reports that compare pre- and post-test performance)?Can the system support the following question types: multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, and matching?Does the testing system support: randomizing, hints, limiting number of attempts, practice (unscored)?Can test questions include graphics, animations, audio, and video?Can the system set a test score as criteria for course completion?

Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseUnified Person ProfileUnified Person ProfileUnified Person ProfileUnified Person Profile

Does the system include an extensible person profile that can be used to track job roles and responsibilities, experience, education, etc.?

Can attributes of the user profile (standard or custom) be used to determine learning assignments?Can the person profile store information that originates outside the LMS, e.g., external certifications?



Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseCompetency ManagementCompetency ManagementCompetency ManagementCompetency Management

Describe how the LMS supports an organization’s competency model.

How much flexibility does the system have to handle unique competency models, proficiency levels, and behavioral descriptors?Does the LMS support user-defined competencies? How do individuals monitor competency attainment? Does the system include the ability to associate competencies to specific jobs, roles, and positions so that they can be assigned in bulk by HR?Does the system provide a means to integrate into a current in-house-developed or off-the-shelf competency model? If so, how? Does the system allow the assignment of competencies to individuals and teams by their managers? Does the system support workflow for multi-rater assessments of competencies? Describe the system’s ability to support multi-rater and 360-degree evaluations.How are “held proficiency levels” calculated? Can self, manager, and multi-rater assessments be weighted so that certain assessments carry more weight than others?How does the system allow users to easily close their competency gaps?How are competency experts identified and used for mentoring or other knowledge transfer activities?What reports are available to assist with competency management?

Number LMS Requirement ComplianceCompliance Vendor ResponseVendor ResponseVendor ResponseCertification and ComplianceCertification and ComplianceCertification and ComplianceCertification and ComplianceCertification and ComplianceCertification and Compliance

How does the system manage certifications?How does the system manage certifications?



Number LMS Requirement ComplianceCompliance Vendor ResponseVendor ResponseVendor ResponseCertification and ComplianceCertification and ComplianceCertification and ComplianceCertification and ComplianceCertification and ComplianceCertification and Compliance

How can the system manage and track continuing education (CE) required by certain professions?

How can the system manage and track continuing education (CE) required by certain professions?Can users have more than one CE plan? Can users have more than one CE plan? Can CE credits for a single course vary based on the user’s level of participation?

Can CE credits for a single course vary based on the user’s level of participation? Can users “back report” credits if allowed by the licensing body?Can users “back report” credits if allowed by the licensing body?Does the system track certification deadlines? How does it notify users about missed deadlines?

Does the system track certification deadlines? How does it notify users about missed deadlines? Can certifications have expiration dates? Can there be separate recertification paths?

Can certifications have expiration dates? Can there be separate recertification paths? Will the LMS automatically notify users of an imminent certification expiration? Will the LMS automatically notify users of an imminent certification expiration? Can certifications be granted manually?Can certifications be granted manually?Can certifications be versioned? Can certifications be versioned?

Can the system track external certifications? Can the system track external certifications? Can the system automatically issue a certificate upon course completion? Can users print their own certificates?

Can the system automatically issue a certificate upon course completion? Can users print their own certificates?Describe your system’s ability to support audit trails and e-signatures. Describe your system’s ability to support audit trails and e-signatures. Is every data or signature entry recorded in the database with a date and time stamp?

Is every data or signature entry recorded in the database with a date and time stamp?Does the system support the requirement of having an e-signature against changes to any learning object in the database?

Does the system support the requirement of having an e-signature against changes to any learning object in the database?Does the system have an audit trail to capture a record of who performed a specific action?

Does the system have an audit trail to capture a record of who performed a specific action?Please list the ways that the system’s auditing capabilities (e.g., capture information whenever a content object is accessed) help an organization reduce compliance risk.

Please list the ways that the system’s auditing capabilities (e.g., capture information whenever a content object is accessed) help an organization reduce compliance risk.



Usability


1 = Out-of-the-box



4 = Partner

5 = Not available

Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseConfigurabilityConfigurabilityConfigurabilityConfigurability

Does the user have a “home page” and a dashboard that shows what learning objects have been assigned to them?Can the system provide a different look and feel for each department where it is deployed (i.e., branding)?How does the system surface the most relevant content to the user? Can administrators or users add new sections within the portal without additional programming?How does your LMS help users navigate to the right location in the system?Can the LMS display content from other sites such as a corporate portal or YouTube?

Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseLearning ExperienceLearning ExperienceLearning ExperienceLearning Experience

How does the system show training required for an individual based on current position, work location, and other criteria?How does the system provide a personalized learning plan?How does the system allow users to self-register for training?Can users submit learning requests that are not available in the catalog?Please list the steps required for users to consume assigned learning.



Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseLearning ExperienceLearning ExperienceLearning ExperienceLearning Experience

Does your system guide users to the appropriate courses?Describe the search capability of your LMS. Does the system support deep links that automatically bring the user to a specific course? Can the user see “at a glance” a list of in-progress learning activities?Does the system provide the user with access to his/her own training transcript?Does the system provide access to and track completion/test results for all courses: classroom, online, instructor-led, and broadcast?How do users get credit for external learning activities within the LMS?

Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseManager ExperienceManager ExperienceManager ExperienceManager Experience

How can managers keep track of and approve their team’s training?Are there any portlets designed specifically for managers?

Number


Instructor ExperienceInstructor ExperienceInstructor ExperienceInstructor ExperienceWhat tools does the system provide to help instructors manage their instructor-led or virtual classes?Do instructors have a means for adding users to a class in bulk? Does the system notify instructors when they have to take action?How do you ensure secure file transfers between your SaaS environment and the customer’s workstations?



Mobile Learning

Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseMobile LearningMobile LearningMobile LearningMobile Learning

Does the LMS support mobile activity (user taking courses or manager reviewing and approving a registration) on smartphones and tablets? If yes, please describe your capabilities. Does the LMS include an offline player?What type of content does the offline player support?Does content have to be created in a certain tool to be consumable offline?



Blended Learning


1 = Out-of-the-box



4 = Partner

5 = Not available

NumberNumberNumber LMS RequirementLMS Requirement ComplianceCompliance Vendor ResponseBlended LearningBlended LearningBlended LearningBlended LearningBlended LearningBlended LearningBlended Learning

What methods of course delivery does your system support? (Web-based, instructor-led, virtual classroom)

What methods of course delivery does your system support? (Web-based, instructor-led, virtual classroom)How does the system support blended learning activities? For example, can the system mix a series of components in different delivery formats (e.g., pre-test, instructor-led course, on-the-job assignment) and roll them up into a single course?

How does the system support blended learning activities? For example, can the system mix a series of components in different delivery formats (e.g., pre-test, instructor-led course, on-the-job assignment) and roll them up into a single course?Does your system support bookmarking for self-paced learning?Does your system support bookmarking for self-paced learning?Does the system provide the capability to store scanned forms, MS Word documents, PowerPoint files, PDFs, videos, etc. within the LMS at the course level?

Does the system provide the capability to store scanned forms, MS Word documents, PowerPoint files, PDFs, videos, etc. within the LMS at the course level?Is there sequencing in blended learning activities, for example, to ensure that a pre-test is taken before the course?

Is there sequencing in blended learning activities, for example, to ensure that a pre-test is taken before the course?

Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseVirtual ClassroomVirtual ClassroomVirtual ClassroomVirtual Classroom

Does the system support virtual classrooms to deliver learning in real time to widely dispersed audiences?Does the LMS solution provide out-of-the-box integration with virtual classroom technology? What is the effort and cost for the integration?



Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseVirtual ClassroomVirtual ClassroomVirtual ClassroomVirtual Classroom

Can the online and recorded virtual classroom session be offered through one-click launch from the LMS catalog or calendar?Can we automatically track virtual session attendance and test results from the LMS?Does the system support the definition of multiple instructors when creating a virtual classroom session in the LMS?Can virtual classrooms be blended with other types of learning (self-paced, tasks, instructor-led) in a single course?Does the system give you the ability to launch into a live or recorded virtual classroom session from a predefined locale from the LMS?Is the collaboration feature scalable to support e-meetings and enterprise-wide activities (e.g., 2,000 attendees) without requiring IT support?Can the users interact virtually with each other in breakout sessions?Do you have a native mobile application to access and record virtual classroom sessions from mobile devices?Can you deliver presentations and demonstrations using a simple Web browser?Does the virtual classroom solution work over low bandwidth?Can class attendees take online surveys and participate in yes/no polling?Tell us about the interactive features that the solution offers to increase participants’ engagement level.

Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseOn-the-Job TrainingOn-the-Job TrainingOn-the-Job TrainingOn-the-Job Training

How does the system facilitate and track on-the-job training activities?How does the system facilitate and track observation checklists?



Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseOn-the-Job TrainingOn-the-Job TrainingOn-the-Job TrainingOn-the-Job Training

Who can mark observation checklists and other on-the-job training activities as successful? Must administrators get involved in every task or can managers and/or senior team members perform all management tasks?

Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseInformal Learning/CollaborationInformal Learning/CollaborationInformal Learning/CollaborationInformal Learning/Collaboration

Does the system support the informal learning process? Please describe how the following activities can be managed: mentoring, on-the-job activities, off-site seminars, and instant messages.Can coaches be assigned to monitor a user’s progress? Can coaches, with appropriate permission, access a user’s records?Does the system manage the storage of informational materials, such as white papers, job aids, and product manuals?Can the system capture informal conversations and ad hoc questions?Can the system manage the exchange of information among subject-matter experts (e.g., IM messages)?Does the system create “Communities of Practice” that users can join based on their role in the organization and skill sets?Can users be automatically assigned to communities?



External Learning


1 = Out-of-the-box



4 = Partner

5 = Not available

Number LMS RequirementLMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseExternal Learning and e-CommerceExternal Learning and e-CommerceExternal Learning and e-CommerceExternal Learning and e-CommerceExternal Learning and e-Commerce

Does product address the learning needs of customers, channel partners, or other outside groups through a specific application?Does the product support audience segmentation with unique content for different user domains?Would we be able to develop a separate instance of the site, with specific course offerings for this audience?Describe the ability to brand the application to reflect the organization’s culture (e.g., add logo, define screens, lists, user options).What tools are available to market learning to end-customers?Can we sell content subscriptions? Can we sell pre-paid training units? Does the e-commerce module support the PCI standard?How does the system meet order management and revenue recognition processes? Does the system support differential pricing for diverse sets of audiences?Does the system support multiple currencies? What payment options are supported out of the box? Does the system support refunds and drop charges?Does your product support discount coupons?





Reporting and Analytics


1 = Out-of-the-box



4 = Partner

5 = Not available

NumberNumberNumber LMS RequirementLMS Requirement ComplianceCompliance Vendor Response

ReportingReportingReportingReportingReportingReportingReportingReporting

Please provide a high-level overview of the reporting capabilities available with your system.

Please provide a high-level overview of the reporting capabilities available with your system. How many standard reports are available with the system?How many standard reports are available with the system?Does the system provide out-of-the-box, manager-focused reporting (e.g., progress toward team development plans, team/individual-training histories, and certifications/completions)?

Does the system provide out-of-the-box, manager-focused reporting (e.g., progress toward team development plans, team/individual-training histories, and certifications/completions)?Does the system support graphical reports (bar charts and pie charts) out of the box?

Does the system support graphical reports (bar charts and pie charts) out of the box?

How can managers or administrators build their own ad hoc reports?

How can managers or administrators build their own ad hoc reports?How can custom reports be created? How can custom reports be created? What skills does a user need to use the reporting tools?What skills does a user need to use the reporting tools?Can the system create report subscriptions that distribute reports to specific individuals on a periodic basis?

Can the system create report subscriptions that distribute reports to specific individuals on a periodic basis?Does the system support integration with third-party report writers? Please list.

Does the system support integration with third-party report writers? Please list.Does the system provide ability to export data to various formats, including ASCII and Excel?

Does the system provide ability to export data to various formats, including ASCII and Excel?



Integration


1 = Out-of-the-box



4 = Partner

5 = Not available

Number LMS RequirementLMS Requirement Compliance Vendor ResponseIntegrationIntegrationIntegrationIntegrationIntegration

How is the LMS accessible from enterprise portals and other commonly used software applications?Describe your product’s ability to integrate with other enterprise systems, such as a corporate HRIS.How does the system support single sign-on? Describe your ability to integrate with industry-standard email and scheduling applications.To what extent does the product support open technology standards, service-oriented architecture (SOA), and provide tools for integrating with other applications and third-party providers?Does the system support SkillSoft’s Open Learning Services Architecture (OLSA)?



Cloud (Software-as-a-Service) EnvironmentNumber Cloud Requirement Vendor Response

Do you offer a SaaS solution?Is your SaaS solution Web-based or does it require a client install? What browsers do you support?Describe the physical environment of the data center. Where are the data centers? Are your data centers audited by a third party? Do you have a documented Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan?Describe the network topology for the Cloud environment.How does the system scale to support growing user populations? Does the hosting environment support load balancing and redundancy? What is your policy about notifying customers in the event of an outage or security breach?How is system usage and performance monitored? Please describe access permissions for vendor and customer users. Do you have a standard maintenance window?What is your back-up strategy?Are upgrades mandatory? What is the process for installing new releases?How do you ensure the confidentiality of a customer’s data in a multi-tenant SaaS environment? How do you ensure secure file transfers between your SaaS environment and the customer’s workstations?



Implementation Services

Number Implementation Requirement

Vendor Response

Describe your implementation methodology.Describe your methodology for migrating legacy content to your platform. Describe the team that will be engaged during the delivery of this project.



Support Requirements

Number Support Requirement Vendor ResponsePlease describe your Customer Support policy. Include information about response times, escalation policies, and hours of operation.Can users and administrators contact Support representatives via email or log inquiries online during non-business hours?Is support available for extended (e.g., 24x7) hours, including support for all global regions?What online resources are available to customers?



Training Requirements

Number Training Requirement Vendor ResponseDo you have a staff of experienced instructors?What is the recommended training curriculum for the proposed solution?Do you provide on-site training? Do you provide training via webcasts for users in different geographical regions, including overseas? Do you offer self-paced learning opportunities or the ability to play back training sessions (e.g., for end-users who cannot attend at the scheduled class time)?Do you offer end-user training?

What documentation do you provide students?



Documents

Learning Management System RFP 1.7 - Lakewood Media Group€¦ · Number LMS Requirement Compliance Vendor Response Course and Curriculum Management Please describe the main features