How can we evaluate the effectiveness of training programs conducted in organizations?

How can we evaluate the effectiveness of training programs conducted in organizations? 

Answer: 

The objective of training evaluation is to determine if the training investment paid off in terms of improvement of the participant to perform jobs for which they were trained. It focuses on what was effective and what was not, whether the trainees required any additional on the job training, and the extent of training not needed for the participants to meet job requirements. There are various approaches to training evaluation. 

As per Kirkpatrick’s study, training effectiveness of outcomes can be measured: 

• Reaction: 

o Evaluate the trainee’s reaction to the programme. 

 o Did he like the programme? Did he think it worthwhile? 

• Learning: 

o Did the trainee learn the principles, skills and fact that the supervisor or the trainer worked them to learn? 

• Behaviour: 

 o Whether the trainee’s behaviour on the job changed because of the training programme. 

• Results: 

o What final results have been achieved? Did he learn how to work on machine? 

 o Are production quotas now being met? 

Structured interviews with the immediate supervisor of the trainees are acceptable methods for obtaining feedback in training. The supervisor is asked to rate the former trainee on job proficiency directly related to the training objectives. Use of experimental and control groups. Experimental analysis with a group of employees that got trained and another group that did not and compare the results. 

Longitudinal or time series analysis: 

A series of measurements are taken before the programme begins and continues during and post completion of the programme. The results are then plotted on a graph to ascertain changes if any, have occurred and continue to remain as a result of the training investment that was made.

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MBA Assignment and Notes

Human Resource Management