This document discusses key factors for L&D managers to consider when justifying investments in L&D programs and service providers. It identifies five critical components for L&D managers to have detailed plans for: objectives from the L&D plan, training delivery methods, capability mapping, scale of training, and accountability. It also provides questions for L&D managers to assess potential L&D service providers on criteria like professional track record, delivery channels, cost efficiency and flexibility, credibility, and consultative assistance. Mobile and cloud-based technologies are expected to be increasingly used for training in 2013 to allow faster, smarter, and more agile training.