The LMS Remains the Foundational Learning Technology in TD

Technology application is one of the 23 capabilities in ATD’s Talent Development Capability Model™, which outlines what knowledge and skills TD professionals need to have to drive success in their organizations. Today’s business world is experiencing rapid change because of the proliferation of new technologies, which influences TD functions and the people they develop within their organizations.

To explore how TD professionals identify and select learning technologies, ATD Research published Selecting and Implementing Learning Technologies: Methods and Skills Used by TD Professionals, in September 2025.

While there are a variety of learning technologies available to TD professionals, organizations most commonly use an LMS (76 percent do so). E-learning authoring and assessment tools are also widely used, with 63 percent and 53 percent of organizations using each, respectively.

Less commonly used learning technologies include learning analytics tools, learning content management systems (LCMSs), and learning experience platforms (LXPs). Although a small number of organizations are using LXPs, they can provide learning functions with different functionalities that better serve the learning experience. With a focus on the learner, learning experience platforms gather data to create personalized learning plans for employees. They can curate learning activities ranging from formal training to on-the-job training and even incorporate internet content. TD departments should evaluate their needs to determine if the capabilities of their LMS are robust enough or if they have gaps that could be filled with an LXP.

When identifying and selecting a new learning technology, TD professionals consider several different requirements to ensure the technology is implemented with a clear purpose. Seventy percent of TD professionals reported that they consider user experience a lot when identifying and selecting learning technologies, and 23 percent reported they consider it a moderate amount. Ease of integration with existing systems is another important consideration for TD professionals, with 62 percent reporting they consider it a lot and nearly 30 percent reporting they consider it a moderate amount. Lastly, TD professionals also think about cost, with 61 percent considering it a lot and 32 percent considering it a moderate amount.

In ATD’s Handbook for Training and Development, JD Dillon reminds TD professionals that cost includes more than just software and hardware. They should also consider the cost of “implementation, migration, training, customization, administration, maintenance, and upgrades—when making purchase decisions.”

For additional insights into how TD professionals select and implement learning technologies, what innovative organizations are doing differently, and how you can improve your approach to learning technology projects, check out Selecting and Implementing Learning Technologies: Methods and Skills Used by TD Professionals.