Analysis

A literature review examined major trends in organizations and training and the ways in which evaluation may help drive training impact. In addition, 3 case studies and 18 interviews were conducted in the United States to study evaluation methods. Recommendations about the use of evaluation for training impact were then formulated, and four Dutch experts on evaluation and training were asked to react on the recommendations in the Dutch context. Characteristics identified in the literature were illustrated with an example from one case study of a company that sells medical products by telephone. The following steps were essential: (1) conduct a needs assessment; (2) design and deliver training iteratively; (3) get the supervisor and employee together before the training to discuss it; (4) follow up on the training; and (5) store evaluation information in an electronic database. In contrast to the opinions of U.S. evaluators, Dutch experts believed that the training consultant should not be responsible for the involvement of supervisors, and further indicated that evaluation should be used sparingly by the training consultant because it is often seen as threatening in the Dutch context. Reasons for these differing perceptions are discussed. Four tables present study findings. (Contains 13 references.) (SLD) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. *