When evaluating your corporate training courses to align with business outcomes, assessing their effectiveness and impact is crucial. Here are some steps you can follow to assess corporate training courses:
1. Define clear business outcomes: Start by identifying the specific business outcomes the corporate training courses should contribute to.
These outcomes could be improved employee productivity, increased sales performance, enhanced customer satisfaction, optimized operational efficiency, or any other relevant goals.
Ensure these outcomes are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
2. Set specific learning objectives: Once you have identified the business outcomes, establish clear and specific learning objectives that align with those outcomes.
These objectives should outline the knowledge, skills, and behaviours participants are expected to acquire through the corporate training courses. We frequently hear this from clients looking for training material.
3. Utilize diverse evaluation methods: To evaluate corporate training courses effectively, it’s essential to employ various evaluation methods to gather comprehensive data.
Consider using the following evaluation techniques:
a. Pre- and post-training assessments: Measure participants’ knowledge or skills before and after the corporate training courses to assess their learning progress and skill development.
b. Surveys and feedback forms: Collect feedback from participants regarding the corporate training courses’ relevance, usefulness, and applicability to their roles and responsibilities.
c. Observations and simulations: Conduct observations or simulations to assess participants’ performance and application of acquired skills in actual or simulated work scenarios.
d. Interviews and focus groups: Engage in interviews or focus group discussions with participants or their supervisors to gain qualitative insights into the training’s impact on job performance and business outcomes.
4. Collect and analyze data: Collect data from the evaluation methods employed and carefully analyze the results.
Look for patterns, trends, and correlations between the corporate training courses and the desired business outcomes.
Utilize statistical methods to analyze quantitative data, such as assessment scores, performance metrics, and survey ratings.
For qualitative data from interviews and focus groups, employ coding and categorization techniques for thematic analysis.
5. Measure business impact: Assess the impact of the corporate training courses and review your training plan on the identified business outcomes.
This involves comparing key performance indicators (KPIs) before and after the training or analyzing other relevant business metrics. Identify improvements that can be directly attributed to the corporate training courses and consider any external factors that may have influenced the outcomes.
6. Continuous improvement: Use the evaluation results to identify areas of improvement for the corporate training courses.
This may involve updating the course content, delivery methods, or instructional strategies based on participant feedback and performance data.
Regularly review and revise the corporate training courses to ensure they remain aligned with evolving business needs.
Remember that evaluating corporate training courses is an ongoing process. It is vital to regularly assess and enhance these courses to maximize their impact on business outcomes.
With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
