“What was it good for?“ Towards the Evaluation of the Efficiency of Trainings

For some time, companies discuss the question of an evaluation of seminars and trainings achievements. This is totally understandable, because seminars, trainings or coaching do not just cost the fee for the servicing institute; they also produce costs because of the participants absence and the travelling expenses. Even more important than the cost is the expected benefit – for the participant, for his working environment and for the company, which ultimately pays the participants attendance at the training.

It is no surprise that companies urgently search for ways to evaluate the quality of learning processes. Keywords like “evaluation of efficiency“ mark the discussion. After all, important goals should be reached during participation in seminars – if these are not reached, for example because of poor quality of the seminar, there have to be consequences – right up to the cancellation of the contract with the involved provider of the training. This concept is also found in the international standard for quality management ISO 9001. It requires the evaluation of training’s efficiency. Surprisingly, this requirement is often just considered with the lapidary reference to the feedback sheet, which is – and that‘s surprising too – usually accepted by the certifying company. However, that does not have anything to do with a sufficient evaluation. So what should a company do, if they want to approach the evaluation of efficiency systematically and efficiently?

Guido Wolf shows in the October issue of the professional journal “Qualität und Zuverlässigkeit“ (QZ 2006/ No. 10, page 50-54; in German), which practice oriented solutions lead to applicable statements, so that the learning process can be evaluated.

Early in September of 2007, Dr. Wolf held a lecture for this purpose, to which the Commercial Chamber of the city of Aachen in co-operation with the regional forum for quality management had invited to.