Books on Learning Evaluation
There is a wide range of books on learning evaluation available. Here are a selection that we have reviewed, and which can be purchased by following the links.
The Value of Learning: from return on investment to return on expectation
Anderson, V, | 2007
This is the report of the most recent research on evaluation commissioned by the CIPD and conducted by the University of Portsmouth with twelve organisations in the UK and Ireland. Drawing heavily on the theory of Ulrich and Brockbank, it offers case studies and data supporting the argument for aligning learning with the expectations of significant organisational stakeholders.
A slim volume of just 56 pages, it is costly for individual purchase, but invaluable for organisations as a key source of reference for Return on Expectation (ROE).
Predictive Evaluation: Ensuring Training Delivers Business and Organizational Results
Basarab D | 2011
Dave Basarab’s distinctive contribution is his predictive model (predict – intent – adopt – impact), which considers what value training is supposed to contribute to the business, how learners’ goals and beliefs on completing training align with business goals, how much of this is then adopted (transferred to the job), and what impact this has on the business (the ROI). This builds well upon the work of Kirkpatrick and Phillips.
Learning Needs Analysis and Evaluation
Bee F & Bee R | 2003
This is a revised version of the work originally published in 1994 under the title Training Needs Analysis and Evaluation. Positioning evaluation in the classic learning and development cycle (or “wheel”), this is a detailed but rather limited treatment of the subject, pre-dating Balanced Scorecard and the ROI/ROE debate, and lacking case studies. It is a useful theoretical companion to the CIPD toolkit by the same authors.
Learning Evaluation (toolkit)
Bee F & Bee R | 2007
A collection, in a large loose leaf ring-binder, of questionnaires and other instruments, with guidance on how to use them, including permission to copy/adapt them for organisational use, plus further complementary online resources. Aligned to the Investors in People standard and closely related to the authors’ Learning Needs Analysis and Evaluation, the toolkit is organised into sections on: Tools for Starting Off, Setting the Scene, Getting Your Strategy Right, Taking a Project Approach, Clarifying and Agreeing Goals for the Evaluation Study, Clarifying and Agreeing Objectives for the Learning Intervention and Selecting the Appropriate Methodology.
High Impact Learning: Strategies for Leveraging Performance and Business Results from Training Investments
Brinkerhoff R & Apking A | 2001
This was the book that put Professor Robert O Brinkerhoff on the map. It tackles the myth that training is about event management, shows how e-learning may be evaluated in the same way as more traditional training, advocates impact maps, and introduces the main tool now associated with Brinkerhoff, the Success Case Method.
Telling Training's Story: Evaluation Made Simple, Credible, and Effective
Brinkerhoff R | 2006
Brinkerhoff’s best-known solo book, this is the explicit argument for his Success Case Method (SCM). Part I is the exposition of the theory, while Part II illustrates it with four in-depth case studies and signposts others.
“The SCM does not just measure and document the impact of training, it uncovers and pinpoints the factors that make or break training success.”
Investing in People: Financial Impact of Human Resource Initiatives
Cascio W and Boudreau J | 2010
This recent work is a useful contribution from the leading American academic on HR metrics (Cascio). The compelling case for making greater use of measurement for strategic decision-making is based on the LAMP framework (logic, measures, analytics, process). Although taking the broader canvass of HR, not just learning, chapters 9 to 12 are especially relevant, and chapter 11 is specifically about “HR development programs”. The book is crammed full of practical instruments and techniques to support ROI calculations and aid measurement of learning.
Training Evaluation Pocketbook
Donovan P & Townsend J | 2004
A simple but effective overview of learning evaluation. Donovan & Townsend offer an alternative to Kirkpatrick, basing their evaluation on a model with nine training outcomes: reaction, satisfaction, knowledge, skills, attitude, behaviour, results, return on investment and psychological capital.
It offers a mix of simple theory with practical hints and tips for carrying out your learning evaluation. This is a great place to start if you are new to learning evaluation and want to get to grips with the basics. It is also a handy quick reference that will actually fit in your pocket. However, if you are planning a programme of learning evaluation you will soon want to look for more depth.
Total Value Add: A New Approach to Evaluating Learning & Development
Fee K & Rutherford A | 2012
This is the first learning evaluation book from Ken Fee and Alasdair Rutherford.
Available in digital format only, it is Airthrey's rationale for, and exposition of, the Total Value Add approach, whereby all value added by L&D is identified, and appropriate means found to capture and measure it.
101 Learning & Development Tools
Fee K | 2011
Packed full of practical tips for each stage of the learning cycle, Fee describes 101 tools and techniques for learning development. For those interested specifically in evaluation, there are 21 tools for evaluating learning. As well as describing each tool, Fee offers practical advice and signposts readers to further relevant resources.
Providing a broad overview of a wide range of evaluation techniques, this is a great introduction to help organisations put evaluation into practice as part of the learning cycle.
The ROI of Human Capital: Measuring the Economic Value of Employee Performance
Fitz-Enz J | 2009
Although about human resources rather than learning/training, this is a useful introduction to the subject from the international guru of human capital. Fitz-Enz suggests, in a refreshingly informal writing style, a range of metrics for quantifying the contributions of employees to a company’s bottom line.
The New HR Analytics: Predicting the Economic Value of Your Company's Human Capital Investments
Fitz-Enz J | 2010
Fitz-Enz’s most recent work, updating the ROI of Human Capital, takes his ideas further by suggesting how to predict the value of future human capital investments. This book adds some case studies and practical examples notably missing from the earlier book.
If you would like to discuss how Airthrey can help you get the most out of your learning and development, then please contact us.