Training Evaluation

Training Evaluation

Introduction

A. Training effectiveness refers to the benefits that the company and the trainees experience as a result of training. Benefits for the trainees include learning new knowledge, skills, and behaviors. Potential benefits for the company include increased sales, improved quality and more satisfied customers.

B. Training outcomes or criteria refer to measures that the trainer and the company use to evaluate training programs.

C. Training evaluation refers to the process of collecting data regarding outcomes needed to determine if training objectives were met. Training outcomes or criteria refer are measures that are used to determine the affect training has had.

D. Evaluation design refers to from whom, what, when and how information is collected to determine the effectiveness of the training program.

Reasons for Evaluating Training

A. Formative evaluation refers to evaluation conducted to improve the training process, including ensuring that the training program is well-organized and runs smoothly and that trainees are learning and are satisfied with the training.

1. Pilot testing is the process of previewing a training program with potential trainees and their managers, or other customers. The pilot testing group is then asked to provide feedback about the content of the training as well as the methods of delivery.

This feedback enables the trainer to make needed improvements to the training.

B. Summative evaluation is evaluation conducted to determine the extent to which trainees have improved or acquired knowledge, skills attitudes, behaviors, or other outcomes specified in the learning objectives, as a result of the training.

C. Reasons training programs should be evaluated:

1. To identify the program’s strengths and weaknesses, including whether the program is meeting the learning objectives, the quality of the learning environment, and if transfer of training back to the job is occurring.

2. To assess whether the...