Compliance requires the delivery of targeted, mandatory and robust tracking of who has or hasn’t completed their assignments. It also requires quick access to comprehensive MI reports with the ability to analyse data, identify gaps and prescribe remedial training.
So what exactly should you be looking for from a new compliance LMS for your business?
1. User-friendly layout
It goes without saying that your LMS needs to be easy to use and intuitive for both employees and compliance managers alike. Employees want to be able to see a clean and personalised user interface where they can easily access their learning assignments. Compliance managers or other administrators need an uncomplicated and engaging system that allows them to manage users, create and assign content, manage communications and generate reports.
2. Smart reporting
There are increasing pressures on companies to provide absolute transparency around compliance, whether to meet government regulations, industry standards, or to maintain qualifications and certifications. This means compliance officers have to generate reports on a regular basis. LMSs are instrumental in saving time, allowing access to data at a click of a button.
But the most effective LMS don’t just generate management information (MI) reports. They don't just tell you who has and hasn’t completed training, but also help you identify any red flags for non-compliance within the business. For example, some LMS have a feature that measures how long it takes people to complete a training course. If someone whizzes through exceptionally quick, you might question how much attention they were paying. Equally, if it takes someone a suspiciously long time to complete a course, this may signal that they struggled with the content. Both cases may be red flags for non-compliance.
LMS can also deliver more diagnostic data, including things like which questions or areas people are failing on - and even the exact nature of their misunderstanding. This information can prompt the compliance function to do a face-to-face training session on that particular area. Choosing an LMS that offers this more granular detail means you will be armed with more insights that can inform further training and process/quality/compliance improvement your company.
3. Transparency
It can be helpful if your LMS enables your employees to see records of their full learning journey and download and print completion certificates for their personal records. This transparency makes it easier for people to become more engaged with how they fit into the bigger picture of a compliant organisation.
4. Flexibility
An LMS you're considering may be ideal for your current business needs. But will it still be as useful a few years down the line? It’s important to bear in mind that your current compliance needs will change.
It’s therefore worth looking at the breadth of training content an LMS can provide. Do they just cover the essentials like anti-bribery and fraud prevention? Or do they offer more specialised content? What about risk management training? And is there an option to access additional training courses as and when the need evolves? Think about how your training needs might change as your company grows and make sure you aren’t shooting yourself in the foot by investing in an LMS with a limited capability.
From a more technical viewpoint, you may also want to find out how frequently the provider updates their software and whether it can scale seamlessly with your growth projections. For example, can you add more staff or groups if needed? And will this require additional fees?
5. Bespoke content options
A good LMS will allow you to create bespoke training content fully personalised to your company. Bespoke training means you can use the name of your company, the names of your policies, terminology your company uses, and even names of specific individuals within the business. All this helps to make the training more meaningful for your staff.
6. Mobile access
As a society glued to our mobile phones, you’d be missing a trick by not having an LMS that’s easily accessible on mobile. Mobile friendly LMS mean employees can complete courses anytime, anywhere.
7. Integration with other systems
Can the LMS be easily integrated with other systems like continuous professional development (CPD) tracking? Can it be integrated with other RegTech tools such as gift and hospitality registers or DSE training assessments?
If you want to create a culture of compliance, you need to make it as easy as possible for people to be compliant. By making sure your LMS is connected with key systems and compliance tools, employees are better supported to buy into the compliance culture.
8. Multiple languages (if applicable)
A good LMS will be able to offer multiple languages. Most will allow you to set a default language preference based on your location, but will also allow employees to change their language preference at any time too.
LMSs are making it easier for compliance officers to manage compliance e-learning. But they aren’t all the same. And nor is there necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution. This blog post outlines the key features you need to look for when searching for an LMS. However, the right choice for you will come down to your company’s specific objectives and requirements. For that reason, it’s imperative that you establish these before you go searching for a new LMS.
Looking for more compliance insights?
If you'd like to stay up to date with best practices, industry insights and key trends across regulatory compliance, digital learning, EdTech and RegTech news subscribe to Skillcast Compliance Bulletin.
To help you navigate the compliance landscape we have collated searchable glossaries of key terms and definitions across complex topics including GDPR, Equality, Financial Crime and SMCR. We also track the biggest compliance fines, explaining what drives them and how to avoid them.
You can follow our ongoing YouGov research into compliance issues, attitudes and risk perceptions in the UK workplace through our Compliance Insights blogs.
Last but not least, we have 60+ free compliance training aids, including assessments, best practice guides, checklists, desk-aids, eBooks, games, handouts, posters, training presentations and even e-learning modules!
If you've any questions or concerns about compliance or e-learning, please get in touch.
We are happy to help!
