In previous blogs, I wrote about the importance of a digital professional learning program and aspects that made a program “mature.” But that still leaves the question of how to get there: what administrative steps must be taken to achieve maturity?

The answer to this question may be complex and varied depending on several factors, including the organization’s structure and goals for the content. However, there are some basic facets that must be addressed regardless of intended outcome:

Protection

If your content has any value – monetary or otherwise – it must be protected. Digital allows you to do this. Beyond this first step, you must think about digital rights management (DRM) before you distribute. More advanced protection, DRM makes sure your content reaches the correct person and there is no unauthorized access or use (like too many pages printed or infinite use by an individual learner).

Right Content at the Right Time

Research shows that today’s learner wants the information at the point of need. They also want it in a form that matches the content. The content also needs to be able to meet the learning styles, or modalities, of individual learners in a logical, progressive order. Does your content do this? As you move from emerging to experienced to expert on the digital-content maturity framework the answers to this question becomes clearer and an unmitigated yes.

Access for All at All Times

Meeting the above steps toward digital maturity are moot points if your learners can’t access the content intended for them. Learners are mobile and want digital content that meet their lifestyle and workstyles. However, what happens when there is no Wi-Fi or cell service? You can’t always control the environment in which your learners live and work. This is a real problem and one that can be addressed with a solution that allows for offline access of content in addition to online.

Administratively, the move to a mature digital content training program doesn’t have to be complex. However, it must be well thought out to meet your organization’s learning needs and be realistic in terms of your starting point, timeline and budget. The good news is we have put a lot of thought into this journey and can help you navigate it.