Cornerstone OnDemand Product Guide
Thinking about purchasing Cornerstone OnDemand? Our product guide was crafted from our vetted user reviews to give you insights into how the product performs for its current customers. Find out where Cornerstone OnDemand excels and discover potential pitfalls before you buy.
Highlight the Right Reviews
Throughout the guide below, there are links directly to reviews. Select the reviewers most relevant to you, and those links will be highlighted in blue.
Table of Contents
Training and Compliance
Training and Assignment Management
Users generally praise Cornerstone OnDemand’s training and assignment management features. The platform’s ability to efficiently assign and track compliance training, as well as manage onboarding processes, has been highlighted as a significant benefit by reviewers. While some users find the system challenging to master as an admin, the consensus leans towards the effectiveness of Cornerstone OnDemand in managing training assignments on a global scale. The robust reporting capabilities and customizable features for training assignments have been commended for their role in streamlining training processes and ensuring compliance across diverse user groups. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Cornerstone OnDemand is a great solution for companies that have a large amount of compliance training that needs to be assigned and closely tracked. The features of dynamic groups (based on specific user criteria) allows you to target very specific audiences.” – Consultant in Human Resources, Banking, 10,001+ employees
“Cornerstone OnDemand is great for training assignments, and communicating when those assignments go out and are due. There is a level of difficulty in managing and maintaining pending and overdue notifications because of the level of setting granularity.” – Employee in Human Resources, Human Resources, 5001-10,000 employees
“Cornerstone OnDemand is an industry leading Learning Management System and I think it excels in delivering compliance training as well as ‘push training’. Cornerstone OnDemand has the ability to sync a data feed with Oracle HRMS, which we have found to be particularly useful once configured.” – Contributor in Human Resources, Financial Services, 1001-5000 employees
Certification and Compliance Tracking
User feedback on Cornerstone OnDemand’s certification and compliance tracking capabilities is varied. While some users appreciate the platform’s ability to effectively track training completion and manage certifications, others express concerns about the complexity and intuitiveness of the certification process. Some users find the system challenging to navigate, particularly when it comes to managing certifications and tracking compliance training. Despite mixed opinions, many users acknowledge the platform’s value in maintaining records for audits and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“10% less paper for certifications; Difficult for users in countries with poor digitalization; 4000 CVs database in 2 years and a half” – Engineer in Human Resources, Leisure, Travel & Tourism, 10,001+ employees
“Certifications can be confusing at first, especially if not utilizing them consistently. We only did one or two and found them to be a little confusing both on the administrative side and the learning side.” – Consultant in Human Resources, Banking, 10,001+ employees
“If you use a lot of eLearning content Cornerstone is great. If you do Instructor-Led Training there are a lot of options in set-up but it can be powerful with the right use. The Performance module for goals and performance reviews works well for us as well. If you just need something simple to keep track of learning, Cornerstone may be a bit overwhelming to start with.” – Employee in Human Resources, Automotive, 5001-10,000 employees
Instructor-Led Training (ILT) Solutions
Users appreciate Cornerstone OnDemand’s robust instructor-led training (ILT) solutions, noting its effectiveness in delivering both internal and external training programs. The platform’s ability to streamline registration processes and provide a centralized system for tracking training records has been well-received. While some users have highlighted minor usability issues, overall, the consensus leans towards the platform’s ILT solutions being a valuable asset for organizations looking to enhance their training programs. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“If you use a lot of eLearning content Cornerstone is great. If you do Instructor-Led Training there are a lot of options in set-up but it can be powerful with the right use.” – Employee in Human Resources, Automotive, 5001-10,000 employees
“We use Cornerstone to deliver Instructor-Led Training, and E-Learning courses to internal staff and external students. The LMS allows us to have one registration system for all of our users, which makes it fantastic for maintaining accurate records.” – Professional in Professional Services, Education Management, 10,001+ employees
“Could be more mobile-friendly; Some user interfaces (like ILT) still need improvement; Odd permission/data rules that can make tasks more difficult.” – Program Manager in Product Management, Non-profit Organization Management, 1-10 employees
Learning and Development
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Users generally praise Cornerstone OnDemand for its robust learning management systems (LMS) capabilities. The platform is commended for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features that facilitate efficient learning and development processes. While some users mention a learning curve and the need for expert support to fully leverage the system, overall, Cornerstone OnDemand’s LMS is seen as a valuable tool for organizations looking to streamline their training initiatives and enhance employee learning experiences. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Cornerstone OnDemand is an industry leading Learning Management System and I think it excels in delivering compliance training as well as ‘push training’. Cornerstone OnDemand has the ability to sync a data feed with Oracle HRMS, which we have found to be particularly useful once configured.” – Contributor in Human Resources, Financial Services, 1001-5000 employees
“Overall my score would be higher if we were able to get the support we need WHEN we need it. When things work well, the platform is nice to use and has a number of options for my team but when things do not work properly, it causes a lot of backend work and causes a heavy administrative role on our part to make up for where CSOD lacks.” – Supervisor in Human Resources, Health, Wellness and Fitness, 1001-5000 employees
“Cornerstone OnDemand is a great LMS and can handle just about anything you can throw at it. It’s powerful, comprehensive, and easy to use. They still have ground to make up though on some of their other modules and in their customer care center.” – Professional in Human Resources, Civil Engineering, 10,001+ employees
Compliance Training
User sentiment regarding Cornerstone OnDemand’s compliance training capabilities is generally positive. Reviewers appreciate the platform’s effectiveness in delivering and tracking compliance training, ensuring that employees meet regulatory requirements. Some users find the system to be a valuable tool for maintaining compliance across various industries and regions. However, there are occasional concerns raised about the complexity of managing certifications and the need for improvements in certain areas of compliance training functionality. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Cornerstone OnDemand is an industry leading Learning Management System and I think it excels in delivering compliance training as well as ‘push training’.” – Contributor in Human Resources, Financial Services, 1001-5000 employees
“I have used the learning performance of Cornerstone OnDemand for 6 years and find that it is a great support in managing compliance learning.” – Engineer in Other, Retail, 10,001+ employees
“Creating a new version of a course can be cumbersome when it is a part of multiple curricula and even inactive curricula.” – Consultant in Human Resources, Banking, 10,001+ employees
Online and eLearning Platforms
Users consistently praise Cornerstone OnDemand’s online training capabilities, highlighting its versatility in delivering online courses and instructor-led training. The platform is commended for its intuitive interface that caters to both administrators and users. However, some users note challenges in tracking informal or external training within the system. Despite this, the majority of reviewers appreciate the platform’s robust reporting features and its ability to effectively manage and deliver online learning content. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Cornerstone is a great tool to Launch online training, but the experience is not the same as the presential.” – Manager in Human Resources, Hospitality, 10,001+ employees
“Cornerstone On Demand is a robust HR platform. Learning, specifically, provides an intuitive, easy to learn platform for both administrators and users. Cornerstone on Demand excels at managing and delivering online courses and instructor led training.” – Consultant in Human Resources, Information Technology & Services, 10,001+ employees
“Cornerstone is very well suited for online training! There are a lot of different ways to offer online learning, for example via videos, e-learnings and materials. There is also a very good opportunity to report on the use of online trainings by employees.” – Administrator in Human Resources, Government Administration, 10,001+ employees
Performance and Engagement
Performance Management
Users generally praise Cornerstone OnDemand’s performance management capabilities. Reviewers highlight the ease of setting goals, tracking performance, and accessing performance data. The platform’s performance module is commended for its user-friendly interface and its support for employee development and increased productivity. Users appreciate the ability to monitor progress towards goals and provide feedback, fostering motivation and performance improvement. Despite some minor concerns, such as the need for further development in certain areas, overall sentiment towards Cornerstone OnDemand’s performance management features remains positive. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“The performance piece, formerly known as WingSpan does provide a host of options for overall employee performance management. It is being used across the entire organization. Having this tool available helps with employee development and increased productivity.” – Manager in Finance and Accounting, Government Administration, 201-500 employees
“Cornerstone is great for large-scale learning needs. If you need to get training out to a bunch of people, it’s a great tool for assigning and tracking. If you’re looking for an AI-based tool for performance, it’s not ready for that.” – Administrator in Human Resources, Construction, 1001-5000 employees
Employee Engagement
User sentiment regarding Cornerstone OnDemand’s employee engagement capabilities is predominantly positive, with reviewers consistently highlighting the platform’s effectiveness in enhancing employee engagement. Users appreciate the tools and features provided by Cornerstone OnDemand that contribute to increased employee engagement levels within their organizations. The platform’s focus on fostering a positive and engaging work environment is well-received by users, who find it beneficial for boosting overall employee morale and productivity. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Increased employee engagement was important and has not increased with statistical significance.” – Professional in Human Resources, Hospital & Health Care, 10,001+ employees
“We use Cornerstone for all of our learning and development as well as performance initiatives. We have many employees out in the field so the mobility of the platform is so important to us. Help us keep up top to date on compliance training as well as employee engagement. We love it and would highly recommend it.” – Employee in Human Resources, Construction, 201-500 employees
“Increased engagement; Increased retention; Increased compliance.” – Manager in Human Resources, Automotive, 1001-5000 employees
Employee Performance Reviews
Users consistently highlight Cornerstone OnDemand’s employee performance review functionality as a key strength of the platform. They appreciate the ease of setting objectives, conducting evaluations, and facilitating online learning within the performance review process. While some users mention areas for improvement, such as enhancing search and sort options, the overall sentiment leans towards positive experiences with employee performance reviews on Cornerstone OnDemand. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Show users all performance review questions at once, so they can fill in questions as desired. Show and allow users to download past reviews, to understand an employee’s past performance.” – Manager in Human Resources, Internet, 201-500 employees
“The forms functionality is old and very ‘windows-95’ looking, would love to see this improved. Building performance reviews can be very ‘steppy,’ we would love to see you be able to do this in the flow of work. I would also love to see the ability to customize the look and feel of the custom page widgets more.” – Employee in Human Resources, Financial Services, 1001-5000 employees
“If you just need something simple to keep track of learning, Cornerstone may be a bit overwhelming to start with.” – Employee in Human Resources, Automotive, 5001-10,000 employees
Management and Reporting
Custom Reporting and Analytics
Users consistently highlight Cornerstone OnDemand’s custom reporting and analytics as a standout feature, praising its robust reporting tools and intuitive analytics dashboard. The platform’s ability to generate custom reports tailored to specific needs and provide real-time insights into training performance is widely appreciated by reviewers. While some users mention minor challenges with certain reporting functionalities, overall, the sentiment towards Cornerstone OnDemand’s custom reporting and analytics capabilities remains positive. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Great user community and resources; Intuitive processes; Simplified reporting.” – Contributor in Human Resources, Financial Services, 1001-5000 employees
“The dashboards and reporting needs more additional features to clean up the old reports, manage dashboards more effectively is my main concern.” – Professional in Other, Computer Software, 201-500 employees
“Robust reporting allows managers to stay on top of training and lower the number of past due training assignments.” – Consultant in Human Resources, Banking, 10,001+ employees
Organizational Development
User sentiment regarding Cornerstone OnDemand’s organizational development capabilities is generally positive, with users acknowledging its effectiveness in streamlining and enhancing organizational processes. The platform’s ability to facilitate organizational growth and efficiency is well-received by users, who appreciate its role in driving performance and aligning goals across the entire organization. While some users have noted areas for improvement in terms of additional features and customization options, overall feedback indicates that Cornerstone OnDemand’s organizational development functionalities are a valuable asset for organizations seeking to optimize their operations and foster continuous improvement. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“We were able to configure Cornerstone directly to our needs as an organization. Even down to some of the terminology. It was important for us to make Cornerstone feel a part of our already developed learning programs and we were able to achieve exactly that.” – Employee in Human Resources, Construction, 201-500 employees
“The tool, while being a game-changer, has some archaic features which can potentially make it second best in comparison to several other competitors.” – Professional in Corporate, Logistics & Supply Chain, 10,001+ employees
Administrative and HR Tools
User sentiment regarding Cornerstone OnDemand’s administrative and HR tools capabilities appears to be varied. While some users appreciate the platform’s robust reporting system and customizable access roles, others find the tool to be complicated to administer. The configurability of permissions and constraints is highlighted as a strength, allowing for decentralized administrative functions. However, there are mentions of challenges with personalization and complexity in changing functionalities. It seems that user experience with Cornerstone OnDemand’s administrative and HR tools is dependent on individual preferences and organizational needs. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Ability to provide multiple customizable access roles from general end user to full system admin and anything in between; Powerful reporting system to track a plethora of data points within the platform (user data, training information, transcript information); Great options to customize the look and feel of your ‘home page’ to best meet your company’s needs and goals.” – Consultant in Human Resources, Banking, 10,001+ employees
“The personalization.; It isn’t too complicated to change a functionality.; Is a complicated tool to admin.” – Manager in Human Resources, Hospitality, 10,001+ employees
“Cornerstone will help you first to build your own talent management suite with a strong CORE HR and other modules as Performance module, Succession module, compensation module, competencies management, succession plan, business-critical roles. The LMS module is powerful: user-friendly, the home page is very nice and easy to use, the LMS module is one of the best tools in the market.” – Team Lead in Human Resources, Transportation/Trucking/Railroad, 10,001+ employees
Talent and Development
Talent Acquisition and Recruiting
User feedback on Cornerstone OnDemand’s talent acquisition and recruiting functionalities is varied. While some users praise the platform for streamlining recruitment processes and enhancing talent acquisition, others express concerns about the complexity and usability of the recruiting features. The platform’s ability to centralize recruiting, onboarding, and performance management processes is appreciated by some, but there are also mentions of challenges in customizing and optimizing the recruiting module to meet specific organizational needs. In summary, opinions on Cornerstone OnDemand’s talent acquisition and recruiting capabilities range from positive to critical, highlighting both strengths and areas for improvement in this aspect of the platform. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“All of their recruiting features are ‘hard to use’ – the steps to follow are cumbersome, clunky, frustrating…beginning with setting up processes, to using the features, to providing feedback.” – Contributor in Human Resources, Non-profit Organization Management, 51-200 employees
“The recruiting module is solid, but not a frontrunner.” – Technician in Human Resources, Logistics & Supply Chain, 1001-5000 employees
Onboarding and Development
Users consistently praise Cornerstone OnDemand for its robust onboarding and professional development capabilities. The platform’s ability to streamline onboarding processes and tailor development plans to individual roles has garnered positive feedback from reviewers. Many users appreciate the ease of assigning onboarding training and tracking employee progress, highlighting the platform’s effectiveness in supporting new hires and facilitating continuous learning. Additionally, the flexibility to create customized learning pathways based on employee roles has been a key factor in enhancing professional development within organizations utilizing Cornerstone OnDemand. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“We transitioned to Cornerstone Learning 2 years ago to consolidate all of our Enterprise HR systems onto one platform. This consolidation allowed our business to decentralize some of the administrative functions, and streamline reporting to a single system.” – Consultant in Human Resources, Information Technology & Services, 10,001+ employees
“Cornerstone OnDemand (CSOD) has been a part of our company’s success over the last three years and has allowed us to deliver training programs for employees, track employee progress and development, and help to identify high-potential employees.” – Supervisor in Human Resources, Health, Wellness and Fitness, 1001-5000 employees
“I have used the learning performance of Cornerstone OnDemand for 6 years and find that it is a great support in managing compliance learning. The ability to create complex group and assignment criteria is really beneficial for the organizations I have worked in.” – Engineer in Other, Retail, 10,001+ employees
Talent Management Strategies
User feedback on Cornerstone OnDemand’s talent management strategies indicates a general consensus that the platform effectively supports talent development and engagement initiatives. Reviewers appreciate the configurability of the system, particularly highlighting its robust permissions and decentralized administrative functions. The platform’s ability to automate parts of the talent management process is also well-received, contributing to increased productivity and streamlined operations. Additionally, users find the talent management suite user-friendly and efficient, with features like custom pages and a powerful Learning Management System module standing out as valuable assets for organizations looking to optimize their talent management strategies. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Cornerstone will help you first to build your own talent management suite with a strong CORE HR and other modules as Performance module, Succession module, compensation module, competencies management, succession plan, business-critical roles. The LMS module is powerful: user-friendly, the home page is very nice and easy to use, the LMS module is one of the best tools in the market.” – Team Lead in Human Resources, Transportation/Trucking/Railroad, 10,001+ employees
“I haven’t worked with other talent management solutions, but I feel that the configurability is just right for this product.” – Analyst in Human Resources, Financial Services, 5001-10,000 employees
“I do not have much experience with other talent management solutions. I think that this has worked well for thus far for everything I need as far as the products configurability goes. There is always a new way to utilize the system to help us with better practices in our place of work.” – Contributor in Human Resources, Government Administration, 501-1000 employees
Technology and Integration
User Experience and Accessibility
Reviewers have expressed mixed opinions regarding Cornerstone OnDemand’s user experience and accessibility. While some users appreciate the platform’s user-friendly interface and easy navigation, others have highlighted challenges with the system’s complexity and lack of modernity in terms of user experience. The consensus seems to be that while Cornerstone OnDemand offers some user-friendly features, there is room for improvement in enhancing accessibility and streamlining the overall user experience. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Back end functions are complex and unforgiving; takes us 1 month to train a new administrator properly due to the complexity of the system.” – Manager in Corporate, Medical Device, 10,001+ employees
“I do wish it was a little more user friendly with those who are not as technologically trained as the younger generation.” – Employee in Human Resources, Farming, 1001-5000 employees
“I feel the product’s configurability is user-friendly.” – Analyst in Human Resources, Mining & Metals, 1001-5000 employees
Integration and Implementation
User sentiment regarding Cornerstone OnDemand’s integration and implementation capabilities is generally positive. Users appreciate the platform’s ability to consolidate training materials in one place and its integration with HCM systems. However, there are some concerns about the pricing competitiveness and the need for better integration with other software. Despite these minor drawbacks, users find Cornerstone OnDemand’s integration and implementation functionalities to be effective and user-friendly, especially for managing training resources efficiently. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“I think it is great! I think it gives you plenty of opportunity for configurability. Our implementation was a little difficult, but they no longer do implementation the way we did it so you would not have to worry about that. I love the option to easily change whatever you need to at any time.” – Administrator in Other, Government Administration, 1001-5000 employees
“Cornerstone OnDemand has helped consolidate our training into one platform for easy access and use for our users. It can be tough to get people to use Cornerstone OnDemand but once they start using it, it is easy for them to navigate the system.” – Employee in Human Resources, Farming, 1001-5000 employees
“During the implementation of CSOD, we had to manually convert historical data from our previous learning management system. Due to the complexity, we needed to rely heavily on a third-party consulting company to accurately implement CSOD.” – Employee in Human Resources, Utilities, 10,001+ employees
