Limitations Of Training Effectiveness Study

Hi All!!

I just want to know what are the limitations of post-training effectiveness study? Can it be studied for any kind of training? There are some training given on very subjective areas like leadership, communication, etc. What can be the test for such kind of training.

Looking forward to responses... thanks :)

Dear friend,

The first limitation is the ineffectiveness of the training itself. Training is said to be effective when it can be applied to the job, is readily transferable to the job, stimulates thought to apply the content, and helps individuals remember the content to apply it in specific situations. The absence of any of these factors is a limitation to the effectiveness of training. The respondents cannot reply to this question if the content is volatile.

Regards,
Dr. Prageetha

Hi Prageetha,

Thanks for the quick reply! I was wondering, if the training met the desired expectations, how can we determine the extent of its benefits to one employee compared to another employee? Basically, studying the impact of training on employees, especially when it involves subjective topics!

Regards,
Ushus Nair

Hello Ushus, Yes, you can measure training effectiveness for any kind of training. The important thing here is that the outcomes (skills, behaviors, organization outcomes) must be made very, very clear at the outset of the training; at the design stage.

For subjective areas, such as leadership, communication etc, you can measure at Kirkpatrick Level 3 (participant behavior) or Level 4 (organizational outcomes). For Level 3, you can do a self-assessment behavior change survey, or a 180 degree (participant’s manager) or 360 degree (manager, peers, reports, customers) surveys. Surveys can be face-to-face or written questionnaires.

To find out what I mean by the Kirkpatrick Levels, visit http://www.businessperform.com/html/...ffectiven.html

For Level 4, you can look at levels of employee retention, absenteeism, customer satisfaction, customer complaints, employee satisfaction, etc etc. What you look at will depend on the behaviors and outcomes that are the objectives of the training program.

These comments are general. I’m happy to be more specific if you have a particular training program in mind.

Vicki Heath

Human Resources Software and Resources

http://www.businessperform.com

Hey Vicki,

Thank you very much! :) There is no specific training program in my mind. The key word that I was searching for was that "Training effectiveness can be studied for any kind of training program." I thought there may be some programs for which effectiveness can't be studied.

Thanks once again!

Ushus Nair

Hello, there are special personality tests to judge the leader within you to some extent. Also, read good books on training and development, such as "Evaluating Training" by Peter Bramley, to guide you.

Goodbye and do well.