Why Evaluate?
- To monitor the quality of training
- Provide feedback
- To appraise the overall effectiveness of the investment in training
- To assist the development of new methods of training
- To aid the individual evaluate his or her own learning experience.
John Dopyera and Louise Pitone identified eight decision points in planning training evaluation. They are:
- Should an evaluation be done? Who should evaluate?
- What is the purpose of evaluation? There are mainly two purposes of doing evaluation. They are justification evaluation and determination evaluation.Justification evaluations are undertaken as reactions to mandates. Other purposes that will make evaluation efforts more fruitful. These purposes include training needs assessment, programme improvements and impact evaluation.
- What will be measured? The focus of the evaluation will be on training and delivery, programme content, materials, impact of training on individuals through learning, behaviour or performance change. Learning can be measured through pre-test and post-test. Evaluate the effects of training after the trainee returns to the work place using changes in between or the work results as indicators.
- How comprehensive will the evaluation be? The scope or the duration and comprehensiveness of the evaluation is influenced by available support, communication and evaluation purpose.
- Who has the authority and responsibility? Who has the authority and responsibility at different stages of evaluation will be determined by the factors like personnel, credibility of internal staff, communication, objectivity of internal staff to do an evaluation regardless of results.
- What are the sources of data? The most common sources of evaluation data are reactions, opinions and/ or test results of the participants, managers, supervisors, production records, quality control, financial records, personnel records, safety records, etc.
- How will the data be collected and compiled? Data can be collected before training for needs analysis or pre-testing purpose, during training programme to make improvements along the way and after training for evaluation.Next step is selection of treatment or control groups and determination of nature of samples. Data can be complied either manually or by computers.
- How will the data be analysed and reported? First reporting issue is concerned with audiences like participants or trainees, training staff, managers, customers etc. Second and third issues are concerned with analysis and results and accuracy, policies and format respectively.
These decision points are intended to increase awareness of and interest in u. evaluation of training, to improve planning skills and to encourage more systematic- evaluation of training.