Employee training is a crucial aspect of any organization’s success. It helps employees develop new skills, improve their performance, and stay up-to-date with industry trends. However, tracking employee training progress can be a challenging task, especially for large organizations with numerous employees. Fortunately, there are several tools available that can simplify this process and provide valuable insights into employee development. In this article, we will explore some of the best tools for tracking employee training progress and discuss their features, benefits, and limitations.
1. Learning Management Systems (LMS)
A Learning Management System (LMS) is a software application that enables organizations to manage, deliver, and track employee training programs. LMSs provide a centralized platform where employees can access training materials, complete courses, and track their progress. Here are some popular LMS tools:
- 1.1 Moodle: Moodle is an open-source LMS that offers a wide range of features for tracking employee training progress. It allows organizations to create and deliver online courses, track employee participation, and generate detailed reports on training completion rates. Moodle also supports gamification elements, such as badges and leaderboards, to enhance employee engagement.
- 1.2 Cornerstone OnDemand: Cornerstone OnDemand is a cloud-based LMS that provides comprehensive training and talent management solutions. It offers features like course creation, content management, and performance tracking. Cornerstone OnDemand also integrates with other HR systems, making it easier to manage employee training within the broader HR ecosystem.
- 1.3 SAP SuccessFactors: SAP SuccessFactors is an LMS that focuses on talent management and employee development. It offers features like personalized learning paths, social collaboration, and analytics. SAP SuccessFactors also provides integration with other SAP modules, allowing organizations to align training with performance management and succession planning.
2. Learning Experience Platforms (LXP)
Learning Experience Platforms (LXPs) are a relatively new category of tools that focus on delivering personalized and engaging learning experiences. LXPs go beyond traditional LMSs by curating content from various sources and providing recommendations based on individual employee preferences. Here are some popular LXP tools:
- 2.1 Degreed: Degreed is an LXP that aggregates learning content from various sources, including online courses, articles, videos, and podcasts. It uses AI algorithms to recommend relevant content to employees based on their interests and skill gaps. Degreed also provides analytics and insights to track employee learning progress and measure the impact of training on performance.
- 2.2 EdCast: EdCast is an AI-powered LXP that offers personalized learning experiences for employees. It curates content from internal and external sources, including MOOCs, articles, and videos. EdCast also integrates with other HR systems, allowing organizations to track employee training progress and align it with performance management and career development.
- 2.3 Docebo: Docebo is an LXP that combines learning management and content curation capabilities. It allows organizations to create and deliver online courses, curate external content, and track employee learning progress. Docebo also offers social learning features, such as discussion forums and knowledge sharing, to foster collaboration among employees.
3. Talent Management Systems
Talent Management Systems (TMS) are comprehensive HR software solutions that cover various aspects of employee development, including training, performance management, and succession planning. TMSs provide a holistic view of employee progress and enable organizations to align training with broader talent management strategies. Here are some popular TMS tools:
- 3.1 Oracle HCM Cloud: Oracle HCM Cloud is a TMS that offers a wide range of HR functionalities, including employee training and development. It provides features like course creation, content management, and performance tracking. Oracle HCM Cloud also integrates with other Oracle modules, allowing organizations to streamline their HR processes.
- 3.2 Workday HCM: Workday HCM is a cloud-based TMS that focuses on human capital management. It offers features like learning management, performance management, and career development. Workday HCM also provides analytics and reporting capabilities to track employee training progress and measure the impact of training on organizational goals.
- 3.3 SuccessFactors: SuccessFactors, a part of SAP, is a TMS that covers various HR functions, including employee training and development. It offers features like learning management, performance management, and succession planning. SuccessFactors also provides integration with other SAP modules, enabling organizations to align training with broader talent management strategies.
4. Project Management Tools
While project management tools are primarily designed for managing projects, they can also be used to track employee training progress, especially for organizations that rely heavily on project-based work. Project management tools provide features like task management, progress tracking, and reporting, which can be utilized to monitor employee training activities. Here are some popular project management tools:
- 4.1 Trello: Trello is a popular project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks and track progress. Organizations can create boards specifically for employee training and use cards to represent training activities. Trello also allows attaching documents, setting due dates, and assigning responsibilities, making it easier to manage and track employee training progress.
- 4.2 Asana: Asana is a versatile project management tool that offers features like task management, progress tracking, and collaboration. Organizations can create projects dedicated to employee training and use tasks to represent training activities. Asana also provides visualizations, such as Gantt charts and Kanban boards, to track employee training progress and identify bottlenecks.
- 4.3 Jira: Jira is a widely used project management tool, particularly in software development teams. It provides features like issue tracking, agile boards, and reporting. Organizations can create Jira projects for employee training and use issues to represent training activities. Jira also offers customizable workflows and automation, allowing organizations to streamline their training processes.
5. Custom-built Solutions
While off-the-shelf tools can meet the training tracking needs of most organizations, some may require custom-built solutions to align with their unique requirements. Custom-built solutions offer the flexibility to tailor the tracking process to specific training programs, organizational structures, and reporting needs. Organizations can work with software development teams or hire external vendors to build custom solutions that integrate with existing HR systems and provide the desired tracking capabilities.
In conclusion, tracking employee training progress is essential for organizations to ensure the effectiveness of their training programs and the development of their workforce. The tools mentioned in this article, such as Learning Management Systems, Learning Experience Platforms, Talent Management Systems, Project Management Tools, and Custom-built Solutions, can simplify the tracking process and provide valuable insights into employee development. By leveraging these tools, organizations can optimize their training efforts, improve employee performance, and achieve their business goals.