Learning System Failures – Recognize and Fix

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  • SAP SuccessFactors – The other day, I was talking to a person running L&D, who is now working at a company, that is using SF. They mentioned how awful it is, and they wished they could leave and buy another system. I’ve equally heard people working at a subsidiary of a company, who is using SF for learning, and the subsidiary is forced to use it, even though they want another system.
  • Wisetail – Very nice folks but another system whose UI/UX isn’t good. The whole statement they have an LXP in their system is not accurate. They had a couple of items; they also were missing quite a bit – just like Taylor who can’t seem to hit a baseball. Yes, they have big name clients – and hey, I am happy for you – but to me, the UI/UX isn’t good.
  • Litmos – The back end is a bit long in the tooth as well. While they are adding new functionality, the equally have stated that they are going to do a revamp of the UI of the system. I respect recognizing that you have a problem. The metrics side – seriously, how could a system that when they rolled out was cutting edge and unique, turn into, well what it is today? According to a few folks at Litmos, the SAP ownership wasn’t good. The R&D investment really wasn’t there – hence the current challenges. They are owned now by another entity. Maybe they can turn it around, maybe not. The UI/UX is the first step.
  • Repeat. Wash Cycle. Repeat – The front end with the playlists – recommend, suggested, tied to your skills, job role, preferred. I do not personally have an issue with the playlist angle – my problem is that it is so dated. Where is the UI/UX wow factor? You could take a look at 30 learning systems, and at least 20 have the same design with how it appears. Some are static – which means you can’t move one playlist up or down – as the learner themselves. Others, the admin can do it by group, or entire system. Ho-hum. The first whereas the learner can do it – should be the #1 here – you pitch personalized – that is pretty personalized. I see the UI/UX on the front end with the playlists on mobile apps that appear far better. The content streams better, looks better in appearance.
  • Tear down the wallpaper. Why do bar charts still reign? Worse them and pie charts often have lots of tiny text squished together on the X and Y-lines. If you hover over the specific chart bar, sometimes you can see one data point. If you are going to stay with wallpaper from the late 90s (I was referring to 1890 – I kid), at least have it so that if I click that specific bar or pie slice it opens up another window for more details or say detailed tied solely to that one point. Vendors will retort that this is doable via a report. Fantastic, but I am not asking for it in a report, I’m asking for it visually on the screen whereas I can further ascertain what it all means. It’s called learning intelligence. Not learn by numbers or is that paint by numbers? I always forget.
  • Stoic Profiles – Is it just me or do we really need to know what department blah blah works in at the company, or their specific department or role? Why not add some interesting information – like interests, or level of expertise on some specific skill – which I see more and more, but even then, it is from my perspective – the person on the profile. I’d rather see interests – not just work related, but general. Add a mini calendar – that people can schedule times – if that profile person is defined as an expert or a coach or a mentor and offers folks the ability to see what time – sessions are available or when that person will meet provide a group session or something like that? Go beyond what is the same, same, same, every time. And leave the department to someone who still enjoys reading the yellow pages – the huge book. Uhh for you youngsters you can find them in a library – a building that houses these things called books, among other items. Dewey!
  • Fun – Fun – and engaging. Wait, Engaging? Attempting to tap into what is popular with audiences across the board in the consumer world? Yes, Tik Tok for now, Instagram still, FB for a few, LinkedIn, well you get my point. A lot of the world uses WhatsApp as their primary for calls, communicating – so why do I rarely see it as a way to connect via the learning system? Go on a site – heck even mine, and you will see under “Contact us” the green WhatsApp logo. I know of only a few vendors whereas you can send content with the WhatsApp option.
  • Systems at the university level and definitely corporate world – are museums – tread carefully, look the brand, be the brand (even if it is internal only). And you expect people to want and stay in the system, and do other things, then jump in, take their assigned course and leave? Oh, we will have VILT in there – see, they are staying! Ask yourself, would you want to stay around in the system – and try out different things? Be honest, and not based on you buying this and pitching it to others. I love that vendors add labs or as Pluralsight calls it, “Playgrounds”. Brilliant – you gain access to the playground to practice, whether it is tech skills (in their case) or could be any skill (not just tech in your playground) and so on. Even the terminology – playground elicits something far better and endearing I believe, than “sim”.