Web Based Training Consideration Checklist

The following is a checklist of considerations for reviewing online training/knowledge management systems.

Application Architecture

These points are directed at the actual application architecture.

• Is the architecture currently in use?
• Can you get references regarding the use of the application?
• Can you review the application as it functions in a circumstance that closely approximates the environment that you will expect it to function in (i.e., do not trust demos).
• Does the architecture utilize an open platform that can be linked and/or combined with future products?
• Is the application itself easily customizable?
• Is the application absolutely compatible with prevailing W3 Consortium standards and popular browsers (e.g., Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Explorer)?
• Is the application designed to run within your user’s available bandwidth?
• Does the application require plug-ins that must be installed? Plug-ins often lead to compatibility issues and/or are rejected by corporate firewalls.
• Is the application entirely web based? Hybrid technologies requiring the dissemination and installation of software for authoring, training, or course management often demand great resources for distribution and technical support.
• Is the hosting environment appropriate? Characteristics of a quality hosting environment include:
  
  • Tier 1 Internet connectivity,
  • Daily data back-up,
  • Redundant power generation,
  • Redundant fire suppression
  • Redundant routers,
  • Redundant Internet connectivity points,
  • Site security, and
  • 24x7x365 server monitoring

Design and Functionality

These points are directed at the design and functionality of the application.

• Does the application support appropriate instructional design, including: pre-testing, post-testing, content presentation, interactivity, and practice?
• Does the application inherently support editing and customization of the content (i.e., you should not have to go back to the developer to customize the content)?
• Is the data from the training and testing maintained in an ODBC environment so that it can be shared with other applications?
• Will the application allow you to share content with others and/or allow you to acquire content from others?
• Does the application support e-commerce?
• Does the application incorporate other knowledge management functions that support learning and sharing information, including:
  • Threaded discussion,
  • File and document sharing, and/or
  • Online references?
• Are the student management tools included in the application?
• Are the student management tools robust and flexible enough to support a Fortune 500 learning environment?

Implementation

• Is the application simple? If the technology is complex, the training implementation will probably be impossible.
• Is the application intuitive? It should not require extensive training for use.
• Can the application be deployed rapidly?
• Does the pricing structure support unlimited users and/or courses? Per user pricing or per course pricing can engender substantial long-term costs.
• Does the company delivering the product provide all the support resources that will be necessary to begin, and provide continuing support for, the implementation?
  These services should include:
  • Project management,
  • Web production,
  • Writing,
  • Editing,
  • Graphics, and
  • Application design and programming