I recently saw an advertisement for another new book on ROI. I’m amazed at the longevity the notion of ROI has had in training circles. I just don’t get it!! If you value training (learning) and understand its role in contributing to enhanced employee performance, why must an ROI be conducted? Are ROIs as frequent for other business initiatives, e.g., marketing, research and development, etc.? I doubt it.
Assuming a sound business case has been made for a training program, that should suffice! If not, there is only one reason (aside from a quasi-experimental purpose) I can think of for requiring an ROI study: distrust. ROI is a reflection of senior management’s distrust of trainers and/or skepticism about the value of its training programs, or both. Why else do you need to “prove” what you are doing?
Professionally, I’m offended. If senior management doesn’t believe its training personnel are competent and know what they are doing, don’t waste time and resources conducting an ROI. Get a new training team.
