How do I best roll out a product request workflow?

As a LearnPlatform administrator, you can best roll out a new product request workflow to your organization by sharing information early, developing a test group, communication, and encouragement. Before you get ready to roll out your new product request workflow, consider some of the best practices outlined below.

Submit a Request with Teachers

As you are introducing your teachers to the request workflow, whether it be in person, via a webinar, or through your tech coaches, walk teachers through the process of submitting a product request. Show them where to go, what information needs to be completed, and where to check the status of their request.

Share Your Plan Internally

Districts who clearly communicate their internal processes as it relates to new product requests have fewer questions from teachers after a request is submitted. Share your internal plan with your teachers - explain to them which departments needs to vet the tool, what information could potentially cause a hang up, and what to expect in terms of a timeline.

Develop a Test Group

Create a pilot group - whether it be all teachers from one school, all of your tech coaches, or any other group of staff members who are new to the platform, and allow them to go through the request process. See what questions they have, what snags they encounter, and what may be unclear so that you are better prepared for a district-wide rollout.

Think About Your Timelines

Some districts choose to turn the request workflow on and off during certain times of the year. Think about your school year and whether or not it makes sense to have designated windows of time for product requests. For example, you may want to open the request option for 3 weeks in the fall and then again for 3 weeks in the spring, knowing that you will turn off the request option and work through those requests prior to making your budgeting decisions for the next school year.

Communicate Your Anticipated Turnaround Time

Share your timelines so that teachers have an estimated timeframe in mind for when they may receive a response by. Oftentimes, teachers write into LearnPlatform's support team asking when a product will be approved. LearnPlatforms support team will share that the approval process depends on the district administrators.

Provide Teachers with Resources

Work with your Customer Success Manager, and check out our resource center for videos and documentation that can help you communicate information with your teachers. Learn more in the LearnPlatform Teacher Rollout Toolkit.

Make copies, customize, and share! You can also use your district library within LearnPlatform to share this information -- add resources and comments for products to share information with educators.

Encourage Teachers to Grade Products

As teachers are coming in to make requests, encourage them to provide feedback by grading products they have used. This gives you and other district leaders additional data around why a product may be worth considering, and also allows your teachers to share their opinions!