Federal Training Guide by US OPM

The US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has developed this Training Evaluation Field Guide “to assist agency training representatives in evaluating the effectiveness of their training programs and in demonstrating training value to stakeholders and decision makers. Five factors have aligned as the impetus and ongoing support for this effort: “

1. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management Training Evaluation Regulations

2. Accountability

3. The Open Government Initiative

4. Training in the Federal Government
 
5. The Federal Chief Learning Officers Council

The Guide uses several illustrations to help gauge effectiveness of training before, during and after the applicable events (p 35):

Sample tool incorporated in the Guide:

Pulse Check Techniques to gauge training effectiveness:

“Pull Up a Chair”

If something does not appear to be going well (i.e., lack of engagement, or confusion), pull up a chair in front of the group and simply point out that you are sensing a problem. Be sure to avoid blame; just present an observation. Be a good listener and ask what would help.

“Judge’s Cards”

Give each participant a set of five 4x6 note cards numbered from 1 to 5. At any point during the session, ask them, “How relevant is this to you?” or “To what degree might this help you on your job?” Ask them to hold up a card with 1 being the lowest rating and 5 being the highest.

“Flipchart Feedback”

Place two flipchart pages on the wall of the classroom, one labeled, “I can use this” and the other “I am confused about…” Provide each participant with a Post-it note pad, and encourage them to get up at any point and place one of their Post-it notes on the appropriate flip chart page with something relevant written on it. Require participants to place at least one Post-it before going to a break or lunch. Debrief periodically.

“Periodic Check”

Periodically stop and ask participants an open-ended question such as, “Do you see any value in this?” or “How might you apply this?”

From : http://www.opm.gov/hrd/lead/pubs/FieldGuidetoTrainingEvaluation.pdf

US OPM, Field Guide To Training Evaluation, January 2011, p 35.

Does Your Training Program Pass The Test? By Vicki Halsey, Phd.

ROE Case Study: US Federal Government Agency in Training Magazine (Trainingmag.com)