Experts say that training budgets - usually among the first areas to be tightened in an economic slowdown -- should not be automatically cut.
Firms must consider business requirements together with the needs of employees if e-learning projects are to be more than just cost-cutting measures, according to experts.
Training budgets are commonly among the first areas to be tightened in an economic slowdown, and while it may be tempting to focus purely on the savings possible through e-learning, organisational development should not be overlooked, said Nige Howarth, vice president of global marketing at e-learning provider NetG.
"A more compelling argument for e-learning is to show how it has changed people's learning behaviour, then to demonstrate it has improved business performance," said Howarth.
Recently, Anthony Miller of analyst firm Ovum Holway said he doubted whether e-learning would receive the same recognition as established classroom-based qualifications. "The status quo supports the classroom and a shift to e-learning will always be a shock," he said. Ovum Holway predicts that by 2004, e-learning will only account for a fifth of UK training.
According to Michael Wenger, senior director of e-learning at Sun Microsystems' educational services division, the first step for firms is to consider what benefits they expect from e-learning. "Any engagement that we are involved in must start with a business requirement analysis. It is very difficult to provide a learning solution without this," he said.
A failure to take into account individual needs will increase the likelihood that projects will fail, Howarth added. "Successful e-learning is so much more than electronic courses on the company intranet. E-learning can help firms to meet their business objectives only if it also helps the individual to develop," he said.
