Measuring Up: Mastering the Metrics of Your Learning Program

Thomas Bril
L&D Specialist
Measuring Up: Mastering the Metrics of Your Learning Program

Imagine a world where your learning program yields not just popular and engaging courses, but also measurable business results. Sounds too good to be true? Think again. In this post, we’ll show you how to take control of your learning program by carefully selecting what to measure and why.

1. Identify Your Learning Goals

First things first: establish the goals of your learning program. Are you aiming to improve employee retention, boost productivity, or maybe enhance lateral thinking? Once you know what you want to achieve, deciding what to measure becomes much easier. Remember, the key is to be specific: quantify your goals and make them time-bound.

2. Align Learning Metrics with Business Outcomes

Next, choose learning metrics that directly align with your business outcomes. For example, if your goal is to improve employee retention, measure the percentage of employees who completed the courses and the subsequent change in retention rates. A leading L&D professional once shared, “What gets measured gets managed, and what gets managed gets improved.” By selecting relevant metrics, you’ll ensure your learning program is on track to deliver tangible results.

3. Keep It Simple

While it’s tempting to measure everything, resist the urge. Focus on a few key metrics that matter most to your organization. This will help you concentrate on what’s truly important and avoid drowning in a sea of data. As an experienced L&D consultant once said, “Keep it simple, actionable, and insightful.”

4. Gather Feedback from Learners

Don’t forget to ask your learners for their input. After all, they’re the ones experiencing your program firsthand. Regularly survey your audience, asking them whether the course materials were helpful and applicable to their job. Their feedback can provide valuable insights and help you determine what to measure.

5. Embrace Continuous Improvement

Finally, continuously analyze your learning metrics and strive for improvement. Use your findings to make data-driven decisions and refine your learning program. With time and effort, you’ll create a program that’s both effective and engaging.

Learnexus: Your Partner in Measuring Learning Success

At Learnexus, we understand the importance of identifying the right metrics for your learning program. Our freelancer marketplace for Learning & Development offers a wealth of expertise, helping managers at companies quickly and easily find and hire freelancers with highly specific skills and experience. With a 47% cost saving and a single master services agreement, we eliminate procurement issues and save you time. Let us help you make the most of your learning program – because, with the right metrics, the sky’s the limit.