This document outlines the key considerations for developing a business case for implementing eLearning in an organization. It discusses determining strategic alignment, identifying champions and stakeholders, assessing current capacity and infrastructure, defining the initiative and intended benefits. The business case would summarize the proposed eLearning solution, why it is advantageous, what will be developed, options and associated costs/risks, and an implementation plan with milestones and assigned roles and tasks.

1. Business Case for eLearning Michael Gwyther

2. Do you use eLearning currently? A No B Yes – self paced learning C Yes – Blended Learning D Yes – Fully online and facilitated

3. Do you have a vision of how eLearnng can work at your organisation? A No – eLearnng is a mystery to me B Yes

4. Critical issues Determining your “brand” of eLearnng Identity opportunities from existing/proposed training Demonstrate value Aligning to strategic plan, vision, goals Audit current capacity and staff commitment to change Champions Management commitment

5. State of Play Totally online courses Blended solutions with a mix of face-to-face and online elements Learning management systems that manage students' learning Web conferencing systems, which support the delivery of scheduled online sessions Informal learning using social networking Skills recognition portals to shape individual learning plans and training

7. Infrastructure-Learning Learner Management Systems Virtual Classroom Web 2 Portal (Blog, Wiki, Facebook) Manuals, CD ROMS USB Existing resources ePortfolios Workplace simulations Social Media

8. Staff/Learners Early adopters Subject matter experts Champions Resistors Basic ICT users

9. Infrastructure-Support Help Desk Online enrolments Email and Phone Web help – guides, FAQ Out of hours learner support Integration with Student Management Software

10. Maturity Studies (UK) identified where learning technologies were adding business value and reports findings in 8 themes: 1. Time Saving 2. Productivity Gains 3. Staff Benefit 4. Business Impact 5. Tangible quality improvement for learning 6. Impact of Social Learning 7. Green Issues 8. Cost Savings http://www.towardsmaturity.org /

11. Maturity Six strands of implementation behavior are more likely to be seen in organisations that are more mature in their use of learning technologies.

12. Maturity 6 strands which collectively entwine to help deliver a successful e-learning implementation. Defining Need Learner context Work context Building capability Ensuring engagement Demonstrating value

13. Failure 33 reasons why eLearnng fails No Defined Business Purpose Lack of Hybrid Skills for Learning Professionals Poor Project Management and Planning Poor Stakeholder Management Failure to understand the Learner’s environment Failure to demonstrate value http://www.towardsmaturity.org/article/2010/03/30/33-reasons-why-elearning-projects-fail/

14. Preventing Failure Before embarking on an eLearning-learning project: 1. learn from other projects (both successes and failures;) 2. audit their own and their organisation’s capabilities; and 3. challenge your organisation/clients to document as to why eLearning-learning is required http://www.towardsmaturity.org/article/2010/03/30/33-reasons-why-elearning-projects-fail/

15. eLearning is about People Content & Communication Systems Technology

16. Task – Business Case E Learning Strategic Plan Executive Summary Description of Initiative What will be developed Options, Risks & Budget Implementation Staffing and Responsibilities

17. What will be developed? Content Facilitation Communication and support Assessment Group based Industry

18. BC – Executive Summary Summarise the overall business case : What are you planning to do & Why are you doing it? How business /training need is currently met Why the proposed eLearning solution will be a good alternative A dvantages of the recommended strategy. Identify links between benefits, what you will deliver and benchmarks used to measure success

19. Why good alternative? Advantages of the recommended strategy

20. BC – Description of Initiative Clearly define your initiative Reason for Initiative – Business Reason Ensure proposal has some fit with your organisations strategic planning Intended market and target audience (capabilities) What eLearning in sector – Why more? Staff involved

21. BC – Options and Benefits What are the benefits How can they be measured Can you achieve/sustain within a budget SWOT Stakeholders – Capabilities Competitors – what are they doing? Repercussions

22. BC – Costs Staff Marketing Delivery Travel Consultants Content Infrastructure * Training

23. BC – Risk Strategy Document Risks Document likelihood of occurring Document impact on project if occurs Document how contain risk should it occur

24. BC – Implementation Define Roles Define Tasks Define Milestones (Tasks, Dates, Accountability)

25. BC – Implementation Define Project & Team Roles Define Training Outcomes Outline Content Storyboarding Development of learning content Usability Testing/Sign Off/Approval Pilot Edits Implement

26. Questions Michael Gwyther [email_address]