In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Dr. Alaina Szlachta, founder of Design by Development Solution, explores measuring success in learning and development. She guides us in thinking like researchers to effectively gather data from stakeholders and align training solutions with business outcomes.

Tune in as she highlights starting with simple, relevant data points and introduces 'Return on Expectations' to evaluate if training meets stakeholder goals. We'll also discuss the challenges of measuring soft skills, the pitfalls of satisfaction metrics, and the importance of understanding the core problems training aims to address.

About  Alaina Szlachta

Dr. Alaina Szlachta creates data-enablement systems for small businesses to show the outcomes and the impact of their learning programs. She is the founder and creator of Measurement Made Easy, a community of practice which uses microlearning, mentorship, and real case studies to create simpler solutions to common measurement and evaluation challenges. 

An academic turned entrepreneur, Alaina Szlachta, PhD, is the founder of By Design Development Solutions, a consulting firm specialising in data enablement. Drawing on her background as a researcher and public health educator, she partners with learning and operations teams to integrate measurement and evaluation systems into their daily practices, providing continuous feedback loops that enhance quality, efficiency, and profitability. 

She generously shares her expertise through writing and speaking engagements, and as the host of Measurement Made Easy, a free community of practice that guides practitioners in refining their impact measurement strategies.

Key takeaways:

• Think like a researcher: Effective measurement starts with forming hypotheses and gathering relevant data. Approach your L&D projects with a research mindset for valuable insights.
• Focus on business Impacts: Align your learning solutions with business goals and measure the impact on those outcomes. Rather than fixating on satisfaction scores, emphasise whether the training achieves its intended goals.
• Start simple: Begin with a single, manageable data point to make the data analysis process approachable. Ask stakeholders about their expectations before and after the training to measure 'Return on Expectations.'

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) Introduction.
• (00:02:06) Measurement and Evaluation in L&D
• (00:05:56) Monitor one data point over time for insights.
• (00:08:01) Delegation clarifies priorities and reduces burnout.
• (00:13:18) Start small and utilise existing data creatively.
• (00:14:51) ‘Return on Expectations’: Measuring program investment outcomes.
• (00:20:17) Don't assume learning solves every performance problem.
• (00:21:43) Show value by aligning with business goals.
• (00:27:49) Methodology is essential for academic success, not engaging.
• (00:29:33) Use data to learn and improve strategies.

Links from the podcast:

• Connect with Alaina Szlachta on LinkedIn
• Alaina Szlachta’s Website
• Read Alaina Szlachta book Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring