LMS Board Approval Checklist: How Associations Can Secure Buy-In for a Learning Platform Investment

Securing board approval for a learning management system LMS (like Higher Thrive Learn powered by Momentive) is one of the most important—and often most challenging—steps in modernizing an association’s education strategy.

Boards aren’t deciding whether a platform has the right features. They’re evaluating whether an LMS investment aligns with the organization’s mission, finances, risk tolerance, and long-term member value.

This checklist helps association professionals assess whether they’re truly ready to ask for board approval—and what needs to be in place before that conversation happens.

LMS Board Approval Readiness Checklist

1. Strategic Readiness: Can You Clearly Explain Why Now?

Before approaching the board, you should be able to articulate the strategic urgency behind the investment.

☐ Can you explain why an LMS upgrade is needed now, not just eventually?

☐ Is the LMS tied to broader organizational goals (member engagement or retention, workforce development, non-dues revenue)?

☐ Can you clearly describe the risks or missed opportunities of staying with your current system?

☐ Is the LMS positioned as a strategic enabler—not just an operational tool?

Boards are far more receptive when technology investments are framed as mission-critical decisions rather than software replacements.

2. Board Alignment & Timing: Is This a Planned Conversation?

Surprising the board is one of the fastest ways to slow approval.

☐ Is the LMS discussion on the board agenda well in advance?

☐ Have board members received a concise overview before the meeting?

☐ Is sufficient time allocated for strategic discussion—not rushed decision-making?

☐ Do board members understand whether this is an exploratory discussion or a decision point?

Early awareness allows board members to engage thoughtfully instead of reacting defensively.

3. Board-Level Executive Summary: Is It Written for the Right Audience?

Your executive summary is often the most influential document in the approval process.

☐ Does it focus on outcomes and impact rather than features or technical details?

☐ Does it clearly answer:

• Why this investment matters now
• What problem it solves
• How it supports the mission
• What success looks like

☐ Is it written in plain language for non-technical readers?

☐ Can it be understood in under five minutes?

If board members need implementation details to understand the value, the summary isn’t high-level enough.

4. Financial & Risk Considerations: Are You Framing Value, Not Just Cost?

Boards are stewards of the organization’s resources. They need confidence that the investment is responsible and sustainable.

☐ Can you explain the LMS investment in terms of organizational value, not just price?

☐ Have you identified the risks of not making the investment (staff strain, lost revenue, member dissatisfaction)?

☐ Are data security, compliance, and operational risks acknowledged at a high level?

☐ Is there clarity around budget ownership and oversight?

Addressing risk proactively builds trust—even when final numbers are still being refined.

5. High-Level Roadmap: Is There a Clear Plan Forward?

Boards want predictability, not surprises.

☐ Is there a high-level roadmap from evaluation to implementation?

☐ Are key milestones and decision points clearly defined?

☐ Does the board know when they’ll be asked to review additional details or approvals?

☐ Are staff capacity and change management considerations acknowledged?

A clear roadmap reassures the board that leadership has realistic expectations and governance in place.

6. Internal Board Champions: Have You Built Early Support?

Gaining early feedback can significantly improve the outcome of a board discussion.

☐ Have you shared the proposal with one or two board members in advance?

☐ Have you asked for input on likely questions or concerns?

☐ Are there board members who understand the strategic value of education and digital transformation?

☐ Can trusted peers help reinforce the case during the meeting?

When board members hear support from fellow board members—not just staff—it increases confidence in the decision.

Why LMS Decisions Are Strategic Decisions

A modern LMS directly impacts more than course delivery. It influences:

• Member engagement and retention
• Non-dues revenue growth
• Staff efficiency and sustainability
• The association’s long-term relevance

Many associations find that board approval is easier when learning technology is positioned as part of a connected engagement strategy—linking education, community, and data—rather than as a standalone system.