It is really important that e-Learning resources are not just commissioned as a result of a good idea or an individual’s enthusiasm for this mode of delivery.

There must be a business approach to procurement which has an allocated budget for e-Learning delivery, the development of the learning content, the hardware to deliver it, the software and the training for staff.

So you need to make sure that before the budget is allocated, the following checklist is considered to ensure that what you are doing represents:

• best value for money and
• a return on your investment

Before you start the procurement process

1. Check the databases of nationally produced materials to make sure that similar materials have not already been produced and budgets wasted. The NLMS and National Electronic Library for Health e-Learning Repository should enable you to ascertain the availability of any programmes.
2. National providers of e-Learning will need to consider the availability of any local products and potential broker wider use of a programme if considered fit for purpose before progressing to a development stage. You could check the Catalogue of Local Content when it is available.
3. Find out the type, size and distribution of the target learners to check that e-Learning is the most cost effective mode of delivery.
4. Ask about the lifespan of the procedure or topic you are teaching. If it is likely to change considerably in the next few weeks, you need to consider how it can be changed without too much expense.
   The expected time to complete the programme. (either face-to-face or via web portal)
5. The development support costs – product options, including creation of courseware or customisation of existing programmes, instructor training etc.
6. Delivery costs including – location, number of training sessions required, and learner support mechanisms including requirements for tutor support, administration, and any potential backfill arrangements.

Related Resources

•  
  Catalogue of Local Content (CoLC)
  

  A project that produced a catalogue of local e-Learning resoruces that can be shared. These resources are now part of the e-Learning Repository.

  http://www.elearningrepository.nhs.uk