Experiences of digital learning in businesses

How to Increase Learning Management System Adoption

Written by Jennifer Lim Lund | 2 December 2024

Choosing the right Learning Management System (LMS) is important for mid-sized companies, especially those in industries like energy, logistics, and construction, where compliance and onboarding training are critical. 

However, getting your employees to actively use the LMS and engage with training can sometimes be a challenge. Without proper buy-in from your team, even the most robust LMS will fail to deliver the results you need.

At XtraMile, we understand the pain points that come with driving adoption of new systems, especially when employees are already stretched thin or see training as just another task to tick off the list. 

In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies to help increase LMS adoption, ensuring that your organization makes the most of this vital tool.

1. Secure leadership buy-in early

One of the most important factors in increasing LMS adoption is securing leadership support from the start. When management promotes the value of the LMS and actively participates in training initiatives, it sets a positive example for the rest of the company. 

Without this buy-in, employees may see the system as just another administrative tool, rather than a platform that can truly drive organizational improvement.

Here are a few ways to gain leadership support:

  • Showcase the ROI- Present leaders with clear data on how the LMS can save time, improve compliance, and enhance employee skills.
  • Involve leaders in training- Encourage managers and department heads to use the system for their own training and track their teams’ progress.
  • Highlight strategic benefits- Emphasize how automating training frees up HR and IT teams to focus on higher-value tasks.

At XtraMile, we make it easy to demonstrate the business impact of our learning automation platform with real-time analytics and reporting, helping you show leaders how the system contributes to your company’s goals.

 

2. Communicate the benefits to employees

For employees to fully engage with an LMS, they need to understand how it benefits them personally.

Too often, training is viewed as a requirement rather than an opportunity to grow skills or improve performance. When rolling out a new LMS, it’s important to communicate the direct benefits employees will experience, such as:

  • Simplified training processes- With XtraMile’s LMS, employees receive automated course assignments and reminders, eliminating confusion about what they need to complete and by when.
  • Better learning experiences- Our platform integrates engaging learning formats such as interactive webinars, gamification, and quizzes, making training more dynamic and enjoyable.
  • Career development opportunities- Highlight how completing mandatory training equips employees with the skills they need to advance in their roles.

This makes the LMS benefits clear to employees from the start and helps them see the LMS as a useful tool, not just another task.

 

3. Make the system easy to use

A common barrier to LMS adoption is a system that is overly complicated or unintuitive.

If employees struggle to navigate the platform, they are less likely to complete training on time. To ensure strong adoption, the LMS must be user-friendly and seamless to integrate into daily workflows.

XtraMile’s platform is designed with simplicity in mind. Our intuitive interface makes it easy for employees to access their assigned courses, track their progress, and complete certifications with minimal hassle. 

In addition, we offer customizable learning paths tailored to each department, ensuring that employees only receive training relevant to their roles.

 

4. Leverage gamification and rewards

Let’s face it - training can often feel like a chore, especially when it involves mandatory compliance or onboarding sessions. 

Incorporating gamification into your LMS can significantly increase engagement and adoption by turning training into a more enjoyable experience.

Gamification features like badges, leaderboards, and rewards motivate employees to complete their training. When they see their peers completing courses and earning recognition, they are more likely to do the same. This sense of friendly competition and accomplishment helps foster a more engaged workforce.

At XtraMile, we integrate gamification elements to ensure that training isn’t just another item on a to-do list - it becomes a rewarding experience that employees want to participate in.

5. Provide continuous support and training

Even the best LMS needs ongoing support to ensure continued adoption and success. 

Employees may need help navigating key features, and managers may require guidance on tracking progress or analyzing reports. Providing continuous support and training on how to use the system is critical for long-term adoption.

Here are some ways to offer continuous support:

  • Provide accessible resources- Offer tutorials, FAQs, and training materials that employees can refer to when they need assistance.
  • Set up regular check-ins- Hold meetings to gather feedback from employees and managers on how the LMS is working for them and where they need additional support.
  • Offer incentives- Encourage participation with small rewards or recognition for teams or individuals who demonstrate strong engagement with the LMS.

XtraMile’s customer support team is dedicated to ensuring our clients get the most out of the platform. We provide resources and guidance to help you continually improve system adoption and optimize training processes.

 

6. Automate training reminders and follow-ups

When employees forget to complete training, adoption rates drop. 

One of the easiest ways to boost adoption is by automating reminders and follow-ups. Automated notifications ensure that employees stay on top of their training without HR or IT having to manually chase after them.

XtraMile’s LMS automates the entire training process, including reminders and follow-ups, so employees are nudged to complete their courses on time. This eliminates the administrative burden on your internal teams and ensures training deadlines are met consistently.

7. Tailor training to employee needs

Generic, one-size-fits-all training rarely drives engagement. 

To increase LMS adoption, it’s essential to offer training that is relevant to each department’s specific needs. When employees receive personalized learning paths that speak directly to their roles, they’re more likely to see the value and engage with the platform.

XtraMile’s LMS allows you to create customized training paths for each department or team, ensuring that employees are only assigned the training they need. 

By delivering content that’s specific to their roles, you can improve the relevance and adoption of the system across your organization.

 

8. Measure and share progress

Employees are more likely to engage with an LMS when they can see the impact of their efforts. 

By sharing progress updates and celebrating milestones, you can create a sense of accomplishment and motivate continued participation.

XtraMile provides real-time reporting and dashboards that allow you to track adoption rates, completion progress, and overall engagement. 

Sharing this data with employees and managers can help keep the momentum going, as they see how their participation is contributing to the company’s success.

 

Increase LMS adoption rates with XtraMile

At XtraMile, we’ve designed our learning automation platform to not only simplify training but also to ensure high levels of adoption across your organization. 

From gamification to automated reminders, we provide the tools and features needed to make training engaging, efficient, and relevant for all employees.

For mid-sized companies, particularly in industries with complex compliance needs, our LMS offers an intuitive and scalable solution that grows with you. 

Whether you’re onboarding new employees or managing ongoing compliance, XtraMile helps you drive adoption and ensure training is completed on time, every time.

Ready to increase LMS adoption rates in your organization?

Sign up for a free demo to get started with XtraMile today.