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How to Define Program Objectives

Defining a program’s objectives is an important but often overlooked process. To evaluate the success of the training program later on, objectives must be defined based on the needs identified and the hoped-for benefits. The objectives tell us what to measure to determine the benefits that are realized.

Because there are three benefit areas in the model—skill, knowledge, and attitude—there are three areas of measurement. They can be tied together by defining skill, knowledge, and attitude benefits in terms of training, performance, and human factors benefits (see Figure 3.1, page 40). A mix of all three areas is needed.

Figure 3.1. Benefits That Program Objectives Address

Training benefits, for example, can ...