Launching, Implementing and Maximizing Your LMS: USDA AgLearn
Situation:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s enterprise-wide learning management system (LMS), named AgLearn, manages training for more than 30,000 USDA employees, partners, and contractors. AgLearn’s around-the-clock accessibility provides users the ability to search, identify, and register for quality learning solutions offered nationwide by USDA and other affiliated organizations.
Solution:
Since its inception in 2004, AgLearn has undergone several improvements that support all usage levels. These improvements come not only from technology updates, but also from better coordination with the USDA training community. Additionally, the USDA adopted new policies that support the use of AgLearn and help ensure that USDA can gain value from dollars spent.
The USDA’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) contracted with Adayana to implement very unique customizations and technical features that support many facets of system use. Adayana also provided outreach and marketing services to the USDA training communities. The purpose of this effort was to help USDA agencies better communicate AgLearn’s value to their organizations, to entice the many training programs to use AgLearn for their program deliveries, and to assist these communities with better management and reporting on training program results.
Additionally, Adayana helped the AgLearn program establish distinct business practices so that costs for services could accurately be measured and charged appropriately to the USDA sub-agencies and offices. AgLearn also established clear standards for operational processes to include key administrator roles and responsibilities as well as responsibilities for sub-administrators. The USDA also set policies related to the use of AgLearn to ensure that the USDA can benefit from AgLearn’s offerings and obtain a positive cost-benefit ratio.
Success:
As a result of these efforts, AgLearn has seen nearly 3,000,000 online course completions since its inception. Additionally, discretionary training through AgLearn increased by 600% from FY06 to date in FY08. The AgLearn program office also measured the increase in course participation. For courses announced through the User Welcome Pop-up, AgLearn found a 291% increase in course completions and a 2,205% increase in course participation. The AgLearn program is also ahead of schedule with its planned deployments based on the 2004 business case, but has operated with a budget that is $13 million less than what was expected.
The AgLearn program was also able to identify an agency training cost savings of nearly $8,000,000 in FY08, and is currently projecting a cost avoidance of nearly $23,000,000 in FY09. Finally, through AgLearn, the USDA was able to complete its annual mandatory Cyber Security and Privacy training requirements with a completion rate of 99% in FY08.
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