Implementing and Sustaining E-Learning in the Workplace

New information and communication technology, specifically computer networked systems, create both a demand and an opportunity for businesses to approach training and knowledge management from new perspectives. These new training perspectives are driven by the need for businesses to provide the right training quickly and efficiently and to support knowledge systems that are current, accessible, and interactive. This article will discuss strategic planning in terms of the organizational elements and the e-learning program requirements that are necessary to build a framework in order to institutionalize and sustain e-learning as a core business process. The elements of the organizational framework include leadership, change management strategies, the technology infrastructure, and the organizational structure. The e-learning program requirements include instructional systems, roles and competencies of key staff people, and budgeting. The building blocks in a framework to sustain e-learning and knowledge building start with a foundation laid out by the strategic plan. The next two building blocks of the framework are the organizational support processes and the e-learning and knowledge management system.