Understanding the metrics of measuring training effectiveness

Training has become a regular feature of not only industrial and corporates but also of government and non-governmental organizations. Every year thousands of crores of rupees are being spent on training by organizations. Resources, both physical as well as intellectual are being invested. The training market has seen tremendous growth globally as well as in India in the recent years. Effectiveness of training becomes important in view of the time and resources committed to the training and development activity. Organizations adapt different methods to measure training effectiveness. However, research in the field of training and development led to formulation of several frameworks. There are models that focus on training outcomes in terms of financial as well as non-financial benefits to the organization. The current paper attempts to discuss some of the prominent methods of evaluating training effectiveness. The paper also highlights the models in comparison to the popular Kirkpatrick's model. The paper brings out different views on the causal relationships of the levels in models of training effectiveness.