KPIs for Learning and Development

We’re all aware of KPIs for tracking and reaching company goals, but few have tapped into their value regarding the facilitation of workplace learning. KPIs are a key component of learning analytics, the collection and reporting of data relevant to the outcomes of participants in a learning program.

Through tracking of learning programs in the workplace, organisations can ensure their training is delivering valuable learning, achieving desired results and contributing to business ROI.

What are KPIs?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are measurable targets that inform on performance against a larger goal or objective. KPIs allow goals to be broken down into achievable, focussed outcomes and can be in reference to sales targets, revenue, customer interactions, or a myriad of other business objectives.

The benefit of establishing KPIs for learning can be twofold; it can ensure the uptake and success of learning programs for individuals and teams, while also allowing organisations to see whether the training is contributing to their wider goals.

How can I track L&D KPIs?

If your learning is delivered through a Learning Management System (LMS) it will have built-in functionalities surrounding data and learning analytics. These will vary product to product, so it is worthwhile considering the data capabilities of your LMS and whether it has the functionalities that you need.

Most learning software can provide basic data about learner completion rates and scores; however, this information isn’t detailed enough to give meaningful insights into the learner experience, nor understand whether valuable learning has taken place.

Choosing an LMS that not only delivers engaging training but also reports on detailed and meaningful data can help you to track KPIs with accuracy and ease. Guroo Learning's Analytics provides in-depth insights into learner engagement, comprehension, and development. This allows managers and stakeholders to understand the needs of each learner, homing in on areas directly impacting workplace performance and business outcomes.

Which KPIs should I be Tracking?
When developing your learning program, it is important to consider which KPIs you’ll be measuring and how. This will allow you to create targeted content and gather relevant data from your learners.

• Knowledge and skill development: While it is important for learning to communicate information, this can be quickly read and forgotten. More value comes from the continued development of skills and use of knowledge within a real-world context.
• Learning transfer: This refers to the practical application of learning within the workplace following training programs. If learning is not being implemented by learners in their role, it is ultimately not achieving its goal, nor business outcomes.
• Engagement: Workplace learning is often delivered in a way that employees find tiresome and unrelated to their work — this detracts from knowledge retention and learning transfer. By tracking employee engagement in programs, organisations can ensure their training is being received well by their staff; or highlight areas for improvement to ensure key learning is actually happening.
• Satisfaction / NPS: One step further than engagement, satisfaction with the program is a great indication of learner participation and an excellent way to gauge whether learning will be taken up and used in the real world. Net promoter score (NPS) is a helpful indicator of this, and can be measured with confidence surveys before and after training, or through asking whether participants are likely to recommend the program to others.

Being able to track these specific KPIs will ensure that organisational goals are being met, while the correct knowledge and skills are being taught in a streamlined way. Learning KPIs should be established to continuously analyse and improve on the learning programs being delivered, targeting the specific knowledge gaps of your team. By understanding specific areas of the learning where participants are struggling or misunderstanding, the program can be altered with each iteration to ensure learners have the best opportunity for success.

Using KPIs to track and improve your learning ensures there is a focus on learning transfer for the individual, and the pursuit of company objectives as a whole.