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9.2 How to assess?

The next question in learning assessment is how feedback regarding the activity will be obtained. Various methods may be used however the best method will depend on the type of information that is to be gained. Methods for gathering feedback include:

The table below indicates some of the 'hard' data that can be sourced to illustrate return on investment derived from learning activities.

Table 1 Benefits and Indicators of Business Return on Investment from Learning

Benefits of Learning

Indicated By

Improved Performance

  • Productivity increase
  • Increased sales (higher comparative sales revenue)
  • 'Better' quality product/service
  • % fit of job incumbents current competency profile to job competency profile (by job, occupation, team, site, etc.).
  • Reduced variations (waste and error rate reduced)
  • Improved ratio of labour cost to production/service costs

Building commitment and culture

  • Improved job satisfaction
  • Improved work attitude or workforce/teams
  • Decreased absenteeism
  • Reduced staff turnover
  • Greater ability to measure, and the value of Intellectual Capital

Reduced cost and better integrating of HRD tools

  • Integration of, or reduced completion costs for:
  • Skills audits
  • Skills analysis
  • Training needs analysis
  • Performance appraisals
  • Recruitment and succession planning

Responsiveness of the workforce

  • Improved customer satisfaction
  • Reduction in (surveyed) complaints
  • Adaptability or responsiveness of workforce to market opportunities
  • More rapid adoption of innovations, work practices, new technology
  • Improved team work
  • Ability to adopt new service modes (e.g. petrol, banking, etc.)

Reduced staff-replacement costs

  • Mobility of existing staff to vacant jobs (part-time, casual and full time)
  • Cost of retraining reduced
  • Cost of recruitment reduced
  • Number of potential recruits (% fit of employees to a job - recruitment pool)
  • Staff retention, promotion and term of employment (by commencement age and employment level or area)
  • Volume of part-time/casual staff moving into full-time jobs

Reduce costs of recruitment, selection and succession planning

  • Improved recruitment
  • Selection targeted to 'match' an individual to a job
  • Better matching of training to individual job and career needs
  • Improved retention rates for individuals (time and percentage)
  • Reduced absenteeism
  • Improved relationship between promotion and learning completed

 

Activity 1

  1. In the space provided below, write a list of up to three people who will expect to see results from you after you complete this topic.

  2. How could you go about gaining feedback from these people with regard to whether you have met their expectations?
  3. Make a list of performance indicators that you could use to justify the time and money spent on this course, using the space below. (Remember to use qualitative factors, such as commitment and satisfaction, as well as qualitative factors such as improved efficiency).
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