You were introduced in Bitesize 3 to a crucial piece of theory. Now we have another crucial piece of theory - the theory of evaluation.
Evaluation is a fundamental step in the training cycle (TNA, Design, Deliver, Evaluate) and yet every trainer finds the evaluation step very difficult. Whether it is difficult or not true business partners cannot ignore it.
The vast majority of trainers fail to do evaluation for one simple reason - they are trying to use a model that doesn’t work. This model is called the Kirkpatrick model - otherwise known as the 4 level model of: -
1. Reaction
2. Learning
3. Transfer
4. Organisational results.
Whatever models you currently use the common problem with all of them is that trainers try to measure the benefits of training after a programme. This is impossible to do if no pre-training measures have been collected before the training is designed.
The model for business partners looks very similar but has some very important differences.
It is called Kearns’ Baseline, Added Value, Evaluation and Learning Model or, more simply, the Baseline Evaluation Model.
Baseline Evaluation Model
Step 1 - Pre-Training.
i. Establish how the proposed training is going to add value to the organization.
ii. Obtain performance measures for each trainee before the training starts.
Steps 2 to 5 - Post-Training.
2. Check reactions
3. Check learning
4. Check transfer/application
5. Re-measure the performance of each trainee and calculate ROI
The key differences are that the Baseline Evaluation Model:
* Emphasises the need for pre-training measures
* These measures should be added value, £ sign measures for Box 2 training (see Bitesize 3)
* The current performance of each individual trainee should be measured before the training
* The evaluation measures collected before the training should be used to design the training
The Baseline Evaluation Model is a very powerful model and the best business partners will become experts in how to use it. Look at any piece of training you are currently planning and ask the baseline questions now.
Paul is happy to take questions and comments and can be contacted at:mailto:paulkearns@blueyonder.co.uk
Earlier articles in this series can be found at:
The Bitesize Business Partners Page
