Level III evaluation: How to measure application

Many learning programs aim to change workplace behavior, but determining whether that actually happens can be challenging. While measuring learning transfer isn’t always necessary or practical, there are methods available for those who want to assess whether employees are applying new skills on the job.

This session provides a practical approach to measuring learning transfer, covering how to track whether employees use new skills, identify barriers to application, and gather meaningful data on workplace performance. You’ll learn how to design follow-up assessments, collect feedback from managers and peers, and use observation techniques to measure real behavior change. Whether you’re evaluating leadership development, technical training, or soft skills programs, this session will help you understand the available methods for assessing workplace application—if and when you choose to use them.

Your people will learn how to:

• Understand what learning transfer is and why it matters, so you can make informed decisions about whether and how to assess it.
• Identify different methods for assessing learning transfer, so you can choose an approach that fits your specific context and constraints.
• Recognize common barriers to applying learning on the job, so you can better interpret results and understand what impacts behavior change.
• Explore ways to gather meaningful data on workplace application, so you can assess whether employees are using new skills—if and when measuring transfer is appropriate.
• Use follow-up assessments, manager feedback, and observation techniques, so you can collect information on behavior change without overcomplicating the process.
• Understand the limitations of measuring learning transfer, so you don’t overpromise results or waste resources on unnecessary data collection.