The Proof Is in the Application

Training in and of itself means little. The true value of training is in the acquisition of relevant knowledge and the application of needed skills on the job that impact individual, team and corporate performance.

Getting people to “do things” and “know things” that they could not do and did not know before.

Training is not purely conceptual knowledge. It is knowledge practiced and applied in meaningful on-the-job scenarios.

For those of us in today’s learning and development field, the support for any training requires proof…proof that there is skills transfer to the job and that it is having a positive impact on the business. How do we demonstrate this improved performance? By training measurement…before, during and after.

Your training objectives should be 100% aligned with business goals and their associated metrics. Define the performance gaps that are in the way of achieving those goals and measure current skill levels. Design the training and reinforcement to improve those critical skills and measure again.

The metrics should provide clear evidence through undeniable data that you are moving the needle…to provide the relevant knowledge and skills employees need to improve performance and achieve business goals.