The customer
The Royal Town Planning Institute supports planning professionals through membership, standards and professional development.
Background to the project
As member expectations evolved and digital learning became increasingly important, RTPI recognised that its existing learning technology ecosystem was no longer fully supporting its ambitions. Its legacy Learning Management System (LMS), CPD processes and associated systems had become increasingly disconnected, creating a fragmented experience for members and placing unnecessary administrative burden on internal teams.
GetSavi partnered with RTPI to define a future learning strategy, build a business case for investment and, critically, identify the LMS partner best positioned to support the organisation’s long-term vision for professional development.
The challenge
RTPI’s learning ecosystem had developed over time and consisted of multiple platforms and processes supporting events, learning and CPD management.
While the organisation’s CPD offer was highly valued by members, the underlying technology was becoming a constraint rather than an enabler.
Key challenges included:
- An outdated LMS that no longer met evolving member and organisational expectations
- Disconnected systems spanning learning, CPD recording, CRM and website functionality
- A fragmented learner experience across registration, participation and CPD tracking
- Significant manual administration for internal teams
- The need to support increasingly complex member requirements and future growth
- Uncertainty around which LMS providers could best support RTPI’s strategic ambitions
- The requirement to secure investment approval before progressing with implementation
RTPI’s learning ecosystem had developed over time and consisted of multiple platforms and processes supporting events, learning and CPD management. While the organisation’s CPD offer was highly valued by members, the underlying technology was becoming a constraint rather than an enabler.
GetSavi offered consistent, patient support as we have worked internally and with suppliers to clarify the exact development required in this area of our work. Support has been highly flexible and responsive throughout this project.
The approach
GetSavi worked closely with RTPI stakeholders to establish a clear vision for the future learning experience and identify the technology partner best equipped to deliver it.
Learning and development needs analysis
We conducted a detailed assessment of RTPI’s current learning environment, business processes and future ambitions.
This work identified the opportunities to improve learner engagement, streamline administration and create a more integrated digital experience aligned to the organisation’s wider membership strategy.
Requirements definition and user story development
A comprehensive requirements gathering exercise captured the needs of learners, administrators and operational teams.
The output was a detailed set of user stories and functional requirements covering:
- Learning delivery
- CPD management
- Events integration
- User experience
- Reporting and analytics
- CRM integration
- Administrative efficiency
These requirements became the foundation for evaluating potential LMS suppliers.
LMS market evaluation
GetSavi assessed the LMS marketplace to identify platforms capable of supporting RTPI’s specific needs.
Potential solutions were evaluated against:
- Functional fit
- Integration capabilities
- User experience
- Scalability
- Total cost of ownership
- Strategic alignment
- Supplier capability and sector experience
This enabled RTPI to move beyond feature comparisons and focus on finding a long-term strategic partner.
Supplier engagement and vendor selection
Working closely with RTPI’s leadership team and suppliers, we managed a structured vendor assessment process designed to identify the best-fit LMS provider.
The evaluation process included:
- Supplier engagement sessions
- Requirements validation
- Demonstrations and workshops
- Technical assessments
- Strategic fit analysis
- Investment and budget review
Our independent approach ensured decisions were based on evidence, organisational priorities and future ambitions rather than supplier marketing claims.
Business case and investment approval
Alongside vendor selection activities, we developed a strategic business case outlining investment requirements, expected benefits, implementation considerations and future opportunities.
This enabled RTPI leadership and governance groups to evaluate options and approve investment with confidence.
User journey design and organisational alignment
To bring the future vision to life, GetSavi developed visual user journeys and service maps illustrating how members and learners would interact with future systems and services.
These artefacts helped stakeholders build a shared understanding of priorities, identify areas for improvement and gain alignment around future investment decisions.
Investment planning and prioritisation
Finally, we worked with RTPI to evaluate, prioritise and refine potential development options, ensuring the most valuable improvements could be delivered within budgetary and organisational constraints.
This work provided a clear roadmap for future development and supported investment approval.
The results
The programme provided RTPI with a clear direction for the future of digital learning and enabled the organisation to make an informed LMS investment decision.
Key outcomes included:
- Board approval for the proposed learning transformation programme
- Successful selection of an LMS platform aligned with RTPI’s strategic objectives
- A future-proof technology solution integrated with CRM and CPD processes
- A fully documented set of requirements and user stories ready for implementation
- Reduced administrative complexity through the removal of manual workarounds
- Greater confidence in the organisation’s future approach to digital learning
- A scalable foundation for future CPD growth and innovation
- Improved alignment between technology, member experience and professional development strategy
Key takeaways
- Selecting the right LMS is as much a strategic decision as it is a technology decision.
- Strong requirements gathering significantly improves supplier evaluation outcomes.
- Independent vendor selection support reduces risk and increases confidence in investment decisions.
- Learning technology should be designed around the learner journey rather than organisational structures.
- Effective LMS selection creates the foundation for long-term growth in learning, events and professional development services.
