Learning Outcomes – Moving From Evidence to Proof: New Directions for the Way We Think About Metrics

Learning Outcomes: All evaluation projects must provide more than the mere evidence of contribution. They must provide credible proof of a program’s connection to improvement in business measures.

Learning Outcomes: By Jack J. Phillips and Patti P. Phillips, 08/11/2011

A group of client relationship managers participate in a formal learning program to implement new selling skills. Six months after the program, sales improve, and the learning team presents the results to the vice president of sales. The senior executive responds, “An increase in sales is great, but how much of the improvement is connected to the new selling skills versus the other factors that also made a contribution?” Sound familiar?

The need for more

The need for a credible connection to the business has never been stronger. No longer does an improvement in business measures following a learning program call for learning and development accolades. Improvement can come from many factors. The key for showing the contribution of learning and development is to provide senior management with what they want—proof that your program is connected to the value you purport. They want you to isolate the effects of your programs. This article shows the myths and mysteries about this process and how it is being accomplished by thousands of learning professionals.

http://www.astd.org/TD/Archives/2011/Aug/Free/August11_Moving_From_Evidence.htm

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Tom McDonald, tsm@centurytel.net; 608-788-5144; Skype: tsmw5752