How to use LMS analytics in an effective learning strategy

Creating an L&D strategy that is backed up by reliable people-centric data will ensure that you are delivering targeted training to the right people. With agile tools at your fingertips, your organisation can make informed decisions which align with wider business objectives.

LMS analytics refer to the data insights which can be collected from a Learning Management System (LMS) that help to track and analyse learner activity. This data includes metrics like learner progress, engagement, assessment performance, and completion rates. For businesses of all sizes, leveraging LMS analytics helps improve training effectiveness, personalise learning experiences, and ensure compliance with mandatory training requirements.

By using analytics, businesses can make data-driven decisions to enhance employee performance, optimise resources, and align training programs with organisational goals. Ultimately, LMS analytics drive better outcomes, improve workforce skills, and maximize the return on investment in learning and development.

According to a CIPD study:

• Staff retention is the top people priority, according to L&D professionals
• The biggest opportunity for improving organisational performance is recruiting and retaining people with the right skills
• A recommendation is that businesses should prioritise building skill over content to play a proactive role in talent retention

As part of their mission to improve retention, organisations must strengthen their offering in terms of personal development and targeted learning. Creating a successful Learning and Development plan will naturally feed into this, with LMS reporting and analytics playing a key role.

Pitfalls of unconnected data systems for training management

• incomplete data at organisational level and at employee level reduces opportunities for holistic views
• inconsistent data - different systems, manual or electronic are likely to collect different quality or fields of data
• unequal accessibility within the organisation – different data managers add barriers to data sharing
• organisations won't benefit from automation such as employee group or individual regular training updates or email notifications
• lack of ability for integrated reporting across all areas of L&D

Why does an effective LMS need to have clear reporting and analytics?

Making sense of L&D data

Your L&D systems may present data that isn’t easy to interpret. However, it’s vital to not only have access to this information, but to be able to translate it into useable insights and then take action based on the findings.

LMS analytics can be used to dig down and find out how employees engage with learning and retain information. Understanding your workforce through robust data analysis will give managers an accurate overview of how training is absorbed.

In order to make sense of the data that is presented, you first need to understand the current objectives of your L&D strategy. From here, you can use the data in your LMS to find out if your L&D KPI's and objectives are being met. A learning strategy is always evolving, and needs to be adaptable in line with larger business changes and needs. If your LMS analytics are clearly showing you that something needs to be amended, you have the opportunity to do this and improve learning overall.

Using LMS reporting and analytics for targeted Learning

As highlighted in the research undertaken by Bersin by Deloitte, the modern learner has just 1% of a typical workweek to focus on training and development. With such limited opportunity to learn, those responsible for this area must be able do so in a targeted way.

LMS analytics supports targeted learning by:

• Presenting the most suitable training to specific subsets of employees, so they will remain focused, and use their time effectively
• Using data from assessments to test each employee’s current level of knowledge, and directing them to training that fills their knowledge gaps

How to use LMS reporting and analytics to create a dynamic L&D strategy

Now we’ve looked at why an LMS needs to use data and analytics and what tools might be available, let’s move on to how they can be used to strengthen your L&D strategy.

As we discussed previously, it’s not just about having the learning data in front of you. It needs to be in a format you can easily understand and analyse. With LMS analytics tools, you can start to report on both successes and areas that may need reviewing.

Below are some examples of how learning management system analytics can provide targeted information to be used within an L&D strategy:

Encourage data-driven decision making

By accessing accurate data regarding the training experience of each employee, you will be able to use it to structure your learning strategy going forward. With employee training and development being paramount for many organisations, backing up your decisions with LMS reporting and analytics tools will strengthen your case for updates into the future.

Identify skills gaps

Collecting data to find skills gaps within an organisation can ensure the right training is developed and delivered and where your workforce may need extra support. In turn, this will also show you where budget may need to be invested to close these gaps in learning and ensure suitable training pathways are available.

Create actionable insights

Possibly the most important way to shape your learning strategy is by using the learning management system analytics and data to create actionable insights. L&D managers should be using the information gathered from an LMS to inform changes to the L&D strategy. Clear insights are vital to help shape what needs to be reviewed, strengthening the learning within your organisation.

Next steps for LMS reporting and analytics.

Once you have the right LMS features and tools you can begin to use the data to influence the direction of your learning and development strategy. Making fact-based decisions will help shape your learning content and support the overall learning offering throughout your organisation.

With the analytics tools provided by the Access LMS, you can analyse individual learning and use the insights to shape your strategy, obtaining valuable data to enhance your L&D approach. This empowers employees to thrive and excel in their work.