ASTD Handbook for Measuring and Evaluating Training

"The term evaluation invokes a variety of emotions in people. Some people fear the thought of being held accountable through an evaluation process; others see the prospect of evaluation as challenging and motivating. In either case, measurement and evaluation of training has a place among the critical issues in the learning and development field. It is a concept that is here to stay and a competency all learning professionals should pursue and embrace."

To alleviate the fears of those who are afraid to be held accountable and to provide support to those who see evaluation as a challenge, this impressive resource features 33 professionals in the field of measurement, evaluation, and return-on-investment who share their expertise in all phases of evaluation, from planning an evaluation project to collecting and analyzing data to presenting the data. In addition, case studies that feature real-world evaluation studies lend depth and richness to your understanding of evaluation in practice.

Another special component of this book is a section called "Voices," which contains summaries of interviews with eight leading evaluation gurus: Robert O. Brinkerhoff, Mary L. Broad, Jac Fitz-enz, Roger Kaufman, Donald L. Kirkpatrick, Jack J. Phillips, Dana Gaines Robinson, and William J. Rothwell. (The full interviews are available as podcasts at www.astd.org/HandbookofMeasuringandEvaluatingTraining.) In the interviews, they share their views on past, present, and future developments in the measurement and evaluation held with Rebecca Ray, award-winning chief learning officer and talent management expert.

Whether you fear evaluation or regard it as an opportunity, this handbook will provide a solid foundation for your own efforts at getting and showing great results.

Training measurement and evaluation is the "ugly duckling" of the learning professional's world. At first glance, it appears to be yet another drain on precious time and resources. And, if not conducted properly, it can yield questionable results, lack of accountability, and stakeholder skepticism.

Luckily, this handbook can help you find the swan in your organization's measurement and evaluation situation. It serves as a comprehensive go-to reference that you can consult for immediate guidance and provides an essential roadmap to developing effective evaluation and measurement processes.

Your advisers along the way are an impressive array of experts, each chosen for their experience, knowledge, and (most important) actual results in specific areas. From evaluation planning and data collection to data analysis and measurement, you'll gain the insights and practical advice of individuals who have successfully implemented their tools and methods in a wide variety of organizations worldwide.

Whether you're a training professional, manager, professor, or student of training evaluation, you'll find that this handbook has been designed to meet your needs. Each chapter includes.

If your budget allows for only one book, this is the must-have resource that can make all the difference. You'll gain a solid framework plus the support of dozens of experts at your fingertips, helping you develop a proactive approach to measurement and evaluation so that you can deliver impressive results and accountability

Patricia P. Phillips is internationally renowned as an expert in the field of accountability, measurement, and evaluation and is in constant demand as a presenter at workshops and conferences throughout the world. She is president and CEO of the ROI Institute, a research, benchmarking, and consulting organization. She is also chair and CEO of the Chelsea Group, an international consulting group that supports public sector organizations in their efforts to build accountability into their training, human resources, and performance improvement programs.

Phillips is a facilitator for ASTD's ROI and Measuring and Evaluating Learning Workshops and an adjunct professor for graduate-level evaluation courses. She holds a PhD in International Development and a master's degree in Public and Private Management and has written 15 books on the subject of measurable performance, many of them with ASTD Press. She resides in Chelsea, Alabama.