Operating guide

Running a modular academy: what to switch on first

Start with courses, roles and feedback. Add community once there is something to talk about, skills once there is reviewed work, and compliance where the stakes require it.

By Allure LMS6 min read

Modules are switches, not a bundle

In Allure LMS, the core loop (courses, quizzes, assignments, grading and released feedback) is always on. Everything else is a module an administrator switches on or off for the whole workspace: community, skills, compliance, certificates, and CALE in guided early access. You can see how modules map to plans on the pricing page.

That makes the order you switch things on a real decision. Here is the order we suggest.

1. Courses, roles and feedback

Before anything else, get one program working end to end: an author publishes a course, learners take it, instructors review submissions and release results. Use unlock rules (prerequisites, drip or linear order) so the path is clear.

2. Your look and words

Set your template, colours and words in Experience Studio before learners arrive. The defaults are universal words, learners and staff, so only change what your community actually says differently.

3. Community

Community is on by default for learners, and it earns its place once there is something to talk about: a first assignment, a cohort starting together. Groups map naturally to cohorts. Turn it off in one switch if your program does not need it.

4. Certificates and completion gates

Add these where completion is a requirement, such as mandatory training or a program with a formal finish line.

5. Skills

Switch skills on once instructors are reviewing real work. Skill evidence comes from released, reviewed practice, so it becomes meaningful after a few review cycles, not on day one.

6. Compliance

Attestations and mentor sign-off are for regulated or safety-critical training. Turn them on where a decision about readiness has to be recorded.

A note on setup

Today our team sets up a new workspace with you, including which modules start on. Self-service onboarding, where an administrator does this alone in a guided flow, is on the roadmap.

Your next step

See the learning experience for yourself.

Try the demo with fictional content, or plan your academy with our team.