PeopleSoft clients often ask about implementing the ELM module –
which stands for Enterprise Learning Management. Giving them an answer is not
that simple because there are two products with the same name. I then have to
ask “Which ELM do you mean?”
1.
Enterprise Learning – which
is part of the HCM suite and used to be called ‘Training Administration’ and
referred to by Oracle as “Enterprise Learning Management” within their own
documentation
2.
Enterprise Learning Management – a stand-alone
module that incorporates components of the HCM functionality but does a lot
more
When you license the HCM suite and/or the ELM product, you need to
be sure of what you are buying. Hopefully, the following description will help
you understand the difference.
Enterprise Learning within HCM
For HCM users, whose main concern is with employee training, the
Enterprise Learning module found in the HCM suite is likely all that you will
need. It can do the following and more:
§ Define
training courses
§ Track
employee completion of training courses
§ Manage
training class schedules and enrollment
§ Print
class rosters and materials
§ Allow
employees and managers to request training and enroll on-line with waitlists if
class is full
§ Define
training programs – curriculum that can be attached to certain jobs and
certifications
§ Define
training course pre-requisites
§ Define
training budgets – by department (note: does not work with financial system)
§ Track all
aspects of training classes such as instructors and their qualifications,
equipment, classrooms, books, etc.
§ Tie
training to competencies and employee goals for performance reviews
§ Track
employee testing
§ Enable
students to give feedback on training through evaluations
§ Perform
analysis on training costs
You can get as elaborate as you wish, but you can also do just the
first two items on the above list. The simple approach is to record employee
training and completion date of courses.
If you want to implement Enterprise Learning and are overwhelmed
by the size of the effort or the long list of functionality and features, I
suggest you start with the first two. You can use the list of courses and
employee training history to build on when you’re ready for more and there will
be no re-work or wasted effort.
ELM Stand-Alone (HCM sold separately – batteries
not included)
The Stand-Alone version of ELM does everything the HCM version
does but is more student focused. This module allows not only managing courses
and class schedules but also the ability to have students launch on-line
courses and web-casts, take tests on-line and integrate with external training
delivery methods to make a complete training delivery system to go beyond
employee training management.
It is the integration with training delivery tools that makes this
version different from the module embedded in the HCM product suite. Other
software may be required based on your needs.
Understanding Your Requirements
Before exploring the implementation of Enterprise Learning in any
form, ask yourself these basic questions:
§ Do we want
a tool to conduct training or track training history?
§ If the
answer is ‘conduct training’ then the stand-alone ELM is what you want.
§ If the
answer is ‘track training’ and you own the HCM version that is what you want.
§ Do we want
to train employees or customers?
§ If
‘customers’ then the stand-alone ELM product is what you want.
§ If
‘employees’ then most likely the HCM version will suffice.
§ Do we want
to simply track training history or set up class schedules and have employees
and managers enroll on-line? Basically ‘Track’ training vs. ‘Manage’ training.
§ Both
answers mean the HCM product will do the job but the extent of the
implementation effort and day-to-day maintenance will be a bit larger for
managing training rather than just tracking.
§ Do we want
training information integrated with performance and profile modules?
If the answer is yes, you
are already HCM customers and want training reflected in employee data, goals
and performance monitoring. This also makes the implementation effort a bit
larger but the good news is that Oracle has made this integration easier in
recent versions.