| Measuring the
Effectiveness of the Training Process The
first method is to assess the effectiveness of the educational process and the extent to
which participants believe that the program objectives have been achieved. If program
objectives are not being met, it is highly unlikely that participants will take effective
action to improve performance back on the job.
It is important, therefore, to evaluate the effectiveness of
the training and the instructor presentations so that whatever changes are needed can be
made to ensure that participants are able to report that the program has met the
objectives that have been set for it. Written evaluations that are completed by
participants at the close of the seminar typically include:
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ratings of the overall
effectiveness of the program
and of its effectiveness in achieving each of the
program's objectives;
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ratings of the effectiveness of
specific program
materials and of the instructors;
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questions regarding whether the
program's
activities have enabled participants to identify how
they can increase their effectiveness;
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questions concerning whether
participants will
meet with their managers or direct reports to
review action plans and whether they intend to carry out their
plans;
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questions regarding whether
participants
recommend that others attend the program; and
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opportunities to identify the most
and least useful
aspects of the program. |
These evaluation criteria yield information that is useful in
preparing to conduct future programs. They also encourage participants to reach a firm
decision abut using what they have learned from the program. This evaluation effort often
helps increase participants' commitment to carrying out action plans and implementing new
learning.
In an effort to evaluate changes in participants' perceptions
of their knowledge or skills as a result of attending a seminar, it may be appropriate to
ask participants to complete an evaluation form before attending the program. By comparing
responses to pre-program items to parallel post-program items it is possible to gather
relatively helpful data on the extent to which the participants think the seminar was
beneficial.
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Introduction
Measuring the
Effectiveness
of the Training
Process
Measuring
Participant
Behavioral
Changes
Measuring
Performance
Improvement |
