Measuring Training Evaluation Effectiveness
While surveys have
long been used to measure the effectiveness of training evaluation, these may
not really provide a proper accounting or validation of the training. For
training evaluation to be effective, it is important to satisfy the following
considerations such as the extent of which the training needs and objectives
are achieved, the extent of which the participants’ objectives are met, what
the participants have learned from the training and whether the participants
have made a commitment to implement what they have learned from the training
once they get back to work.
Once they return to work, it is also important to determine the level of
success in implementing action plans, the extent of which they were supported
by their managers, the extent of which the action has achieved an effective
training ROI for the company in terms of goal satisfaction or financial
assessment.
Many companies usually fail to implement these training evaluation processes,
especially in instances where the trainers and HR department do not have enough
time or resources to do. Training evaluation must fit according to the
resources available as well as the environment which can substantially differ
from an organization to the next. Of course, a good and proper methodical
evaluation yields a good and reliable data. A lack of evaluation performed, on
the other hand, would also produce very little results about training’s
effectiveness.
There are two major factors that should be resolved when it comes to training
evaluation. These include the person responsible for the training evaluation
and validation processes and the available resources needed for the said
processes. These resources include time, money and people.
The training evaluation is traditionally left to but not limited to the
trainer. It can also be the responsibility of the senior management, line
management, the training manager and the trainee, each of which has distinct
responsibilities. Moreover, the participants in the training program also play
an important role in the validation and evaluation process as well. This is
because evaluation would not be possible without their comments nor new skills
and knowledge be carried out.
Training evaluation will also depend on various available resources as well as
culture support. The more tools and the wider the approach used,
the more effective and valuable the evaluation will become. However, you need
to set realistic goals. Largely expensive and critical training programs more
often justify more scrutiny and evaluation than small, simple and non-critical
ones. Evaluation requires more precise details where there is huge investment
and so much expectation. Training managers, in particular, should make clear
expectations on validation and measurement with senior management before
conducting new training programs in order to establish the right evaluation
process.
In addition, when planning potentially critical and big training programs,
training managers should exercise caution to make sure that sufficient measurement
and evaluation processes are in tact. So that when the company’s top executive
asks what you got for your investment, the training manager can be able to
provide a full and detailed response.