As companies devote more resources to training, the need for valid information about the return on investment increases. (JOW)

Examines five potential problems concerning performance evaluation, including (1) personnel managers' organizational knowledge and where the employee fits in that organization; (2) how managers prepare performance standards; (3) how managers identify employee competence; (4) how performance standards are measured; and (5) results of performance…

Twelve ideas to produce technical training faster, make it longer lasting, and more cost effective are examined. They include performance improvement analysis, cause analysis, observing actual performance, concentrating more on the stimuli, considering alternatives to training, stating terminal behaviors for training programs, and using feedback…

Helps organizations determine if they are ready to begin a human resource planning program which requires the organization to analyze current and future personnel requirements, to develop an internal support system providing sound performance management programs, and to develop internal support systems for managing employee careers. (CT)

Proposes a model which emphasizes the delegation of decision-making authority and managerial control of operations. Suggests that risks can be reduced by using (1) a contingency approach to delegation, (2) decision rules for consistency, (3) decision models for specific situations, (4) vital indicator reports, (5) management by objectives, and (6)…

Suggests that successful evaluation projects for training programs focus on management decisions. Provides a checklist of concerns that deal with the effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance of the program. Discusses the selection of the data level and decision-making criteria. (CSS)

The author defines self-instruction as any training method in which the trainee has control over the pace and to some extent the conditions of his learning. He discusses requirements for application of self-instructional methods: knowledge component isolation, material relevance, adaptable entry point, knowledge transfer exercises, feedback…

Explores need for development of validation and certification procedures. Performance measures used for these procedures must come from on-job experiences. Validity of measures depends on similarity of participant's performance to job exercises. Outlines how to develop reliable job performance measures necessary for job certification and…

Examines both the explicit and implicit assumptions behind the Kirkpatrick evaluation model. Attempts to demonstrate conceptually the danger of simplistic evaluation approaches and argues for rigorous evaluation designs. (CSS)

Describes the Minimal Acceptable Performance Standards (MAPS), which measures worker performance at Consolidated Edison Company. Steps in establishing standards are: to identify tasks to be performed, to establish behavior-oriented objectives, and to write items for lesson-plan content. Sample MAPS forms for a "job performance walkdown"…

Presents general systems models (ballistic system, guided system, and adaptive system) and an evaluation matrix to help in examining training evaluation alternatives and in deciding what evaluation is appropriate. Includes some guidelines for conducting evaluation studies using four designs (control group, reversal, multiple baseline, and…

Outlines a procedure for designing an industrial skills training program in which the trainer prepares a job analysis by actually learning about the job duties and equipment; writes instructional objectives for each equipment section; and combines sets of job photos, scripts, objectives, and other information into a study guide for trainees. (MF)

Presents a contingency model for decision making with regard to needs analysis methods. Focus is on 12 methods with brief discussion of their defining characteristics and some operational guidelines for their use. (JOW)