{"id":43321,"date":"2026-03-02T17:06:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T13:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ispring.com\/knowledge-hub\/?p=43321"},"modified":"2026-04-24T18:38:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T14:38:57","slug":"lms-requirements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ispring.com\/knowledge-hub\/lms-requirements","title":{"rendered":"LMS requirements: an ultimate checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are over 700 learning management systems (LMS)<\/strong> on the market today. It would take years to check out each one. But what if you need one right now? We prepared a list of key LMS requirements that will save you time and make the LMS selection process much easier.<\/p>\n

TL;DR<\/h2>\n

The article explains key functional, business, and security requirements to evaluate when choosing a learning management system (LMS). It covers essential features like user and course management, learning models, content support, analytics, customization, e-commerce, certification, integrations, and deployment options. It also highlights security needs such as data protection, authentication, and access control, alongside desirable extras like mobile learning, gamification, and social learning tools. The piece emphasizes aligning LMS capabilities with organizational goals and offers a checklist to document and compare requirements to find the best LMS for your organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

LMS requirements checklist<\/h2>\n

We also put together a checklist for documenting LMS requirements. Use it to assess LMS options and identify the one that best suits your needs.<\/p>\n

Just make a copy of the LMS requirements checklist, mark the features your company needs, like mobile learning support, learner engagement tools, and social learning features, compare these with what different LMSs offer, and select the vendor that meets all your standards.<\/p>\n

See the LMS requirements checklist<\/a><\/p>\n

Now let\u2019s look at LMS requirements in detail.<\/p>\n

Functional LMS requirements<\/h2>\n

Functional requirements for LMS platforms include essential LMS features that learners and administrators use on a regular basis.<\/p>\n

User and course management<\/h3>\n

These features encompass the ability to create, organize, enroll, and track users and training programs within the learning platform. LMSs approach these processes differently, but they all aim to offer administrators comprehensive control over learning content and user access.<\/p>\n

When selecting an LMS, you need to decide how to work with users and groups in the LMS. To do this, answer these questions:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. How will you register employees?<\/strong> \u2014 will users register themselves, or will an administrator register them?<\/li>\n
  2. Who will manage the LMS?<\/strong> Do you need a system that allows you to assign different user roles, such as administrators, publishers, SMEs (subject matter experts), and users?<\/li>\n
  3. Do you plan to create individual training programs<\/strong> for different employees or organizations?<\/li>\n
  4. How will you add new users<\/strong> \u2014 by email, by importing them from an Excel file, or both?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Opt for LMS solutions that automate administrative tasks, such as notifying learners of deadlines and new assignments. They will make training management a lot easier.<\/p>\n

    Learning models<\/h3>\n

    Learning models represent the way eLearning content is structured and delivered to learners. Here are the main learning models:<\/p>\n