What are the best ways to measure a volunteer training program's effectiveness?

1 Define your goals and indicators

Before you start measuring anything, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your training program. What are the specific skills, knowledge, or attitudes that you want your volunteers to learn or improve? How do they relate to your organizational goals and objectives? How will you know if your volunteers have achieved them? These questions will help you to define your training goals and indicators. Goals are the broad outcomes that you want to see as a result of your training. Indicators are the measurable signs that show whether your goals have been met or not.

2 Choose your methods and tools

Once you have established your goals and indicators, it's time to decide how to collect and analyze the data that will demonstrate the effectiveness of your training. Depending on your resources, time, and preferences, there are many methods and tools available for this purpose. Pre- and post-tests are a common way to measure learning outcomes and knowledge retention. Surveys and questionnaires can be used to gauge reactions and attitudes towards the training. Interviews and focus groups provide an opportunity for more in-depth and qualitative feedback from volunteers. Observation and feedback are direct or indirect ways to monitor and evaluate the actions of volunteers in their roles. All of these methods can help you measure the application and outcomes of the training.

3 Apply the Kirkpatrick model

The Kirkpatrick model is one of the most widely used frameworks for measuring training effectiveness. It consists of four levels of evaluation that correspond to different aspects of the training impact, such as reaction, learning, behavior, and results. Through this model, you can assess how your volunteers felt about the training, what they learned from it, how they applied it in their roles, and how it contributed to the organizational goals and mission. By applying this model, you can get a comprehensive and holistic picture of your training effectiveness and identify the strengths and weaknesses of your program so that you can make adjustments accordingly.

4 Compare and benchmark your results

Finally, you need to compare and benchmark your results to gain a realistic and objective assessment of your training effectiveness. To do this, compare your results with your baseline data or previous results to see the progress or improvement of your training program over time. Additionally, compare your results to your targets or goals to see the achievement or gap of your training program in relation to desired outcomes. Moreover, compare your results with peers or competitors to get an idea of the position or advantage of your training program in relation to the industry or sector. By doing this, you can set new goals and strategies for future training programs.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?