Introduction
Many companies believe that training answers all issues and that its absence is the root of many problems. Most people are familiar with the Kirkpatrick Model, which may be used to analyze and assess the outcomes of coaching and educational initiatives. This essay will describe the Kirkpatrick instructional and Evaluation Framework model, which is frequently used to determine the efficacy of training.
Based on four layers of criteria, it considers any training, including informal and formal instruction. The evaluation must begin at level one and move sequentially through levels two, three, and four as time and resources permit. The study of the subsequent levels can be built on the data from all of the earlier grades (Alsalamah & Callinan, 2021). As a result, each level after that offers a gauge of the training course’s value that is even more precise but also necessitates an evaluation that is longer and more difficult.
Level 1: Reaction
This level’s goal is simple: eliciting the trainees’ thoughts through questions assesses how people respond to the training model. Whether the participant enjoyed their experience and thought the program’s content applied to their work will be made clear by their responses to the questions. Typically, this kind of review is referred to as a “smile sheet” (Sahni, 2020). Each program needs to be evaluated at this level, as Kirkpatrick described, to enable the model to be improved for future usage. Additionally, the participants’ replies are crucial in deciding how interested they will be in studying the subsequent level. Although a favorable response does not guarantee learning, a negative one unquestionably decreases the likelihood that the user will pay attention to the training. Resources and methods for level one, for instance, include Interviews and an online test that delegates or judges can grade.
Level 2: Learning
This level of evaluation is used to determine how much progress participants have made in terms of their degree of expertise, knowledge, or thinking. Both official and informal measurements can be made for these five factors. Compared to level one, exploration at this level is far more complex and time-consuming. Techniques range from casual to formal tests, as well as team and self-evaluation (Alsalamah & Callinan, 2021). To deteTestsluations are administered before and after training. Exams to determine how much the participant understood, interviews, or assessments before and after the training are a few examples of level two tools and procedures, as are measurement and evaluation that are easy to use and straightforward for any group size.
Level 3: Behavior
Understanding the actual impact of the course requires completing this stage. It tracks how learners’ behavior changes after learning and determines whether they transfer what they have learned in training to their work. The findings of this evaluation will show whether the learner properly grasped the training and whether it is applicable in that particular workplace (Sahni, 2020). This is because other problems are frequently discovered when the behavior in the workplace is examined. It is only sometimes a sign that training was unsuccessful if a person’s behavior does not alter following it. It can only imply that several organizational procedures and conditions must be altered before people can successfully implement new behavior. Three, this level can be implemented with tremendous success three months after the training; some assessments too soon will produce accurate information.
Level 4: Results
This level focuses on the organizational members’ commitment and accountability, as well as whether or not the training program produced the desired results. These results will vary depending on the organization and training program, but they can be monitored using key performance indicators (Sahni, 2020). At this stage, leading signs are also taken into consideration. It should be stated to the participant exactly what will be measured before, during, and after the training program so that they know what to expect and understand what is being assessed. This is one of the assessment strategies and tools used for level four.
Drawbacks
Conventional training is becoming less prominent with the rise of individualized, user-directed learning. Kirkpatrick’s paradigm is only sometimes suited to this new method of learning. It might work better in every situation, including a one-time training session. The model may only be realistic for some firms, especially if one has specialized training or a human resource department to undertake the analysis (Alsalamah & Callinan, 2021). Another issue is that Levels 3 and 4, which arguably offer the most critical information for the business, are time-demanding, resource intensive, and expensive to deploy (Sahni, 2020). Organizations evolve in numerous ways, affecting behaviors, results, and training. For instance, measurable improvements in retention and productivity may result not from training but rather from introducing a new supervisor or computer system. It may be the consequence of a mix of these three factors. Kirkpatrick’s model is terrific for evaluating training in a “scientific” way, but Level 4 may be restricted in its utility to many different factors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when goals are clearly defined, results are measured, and areas of noticeable influence are found, the Kirkpatrick Model helps establish an actionable measurement plan. Firms can assess the relationship between each level to better understand the training results by analyzing data at each level. As a bonus, doing so enables organizations to adapt plans and correct courses during the learning process.
References
Alsalamah, A., & Callinan, C. (2021). The Kirkpatrick model for training evaluation: bibliometric analysis after 60 years (1959–2020). Industrial and Commercial Training.
Sahni, J. (2020). Managerial training effectiveness: An assessment through Kirkpatrick framework. TEM Journal, 9(3), 1227.