How do I know if Learning and Development (L&D) initiatives are making a difference to employee and business performance? What should I measure and how do I take a data-driven approach?
Learning Metrics is a practical book for L&D professionals which answers these questions and provides guidance for measuring and communicating the impact of L&D activity in the business. It covers how to measure participant engagement with learning, learning retention and changes in employee performance post-learning. There is also guidance on how to measure on-the-job behaviour change as a result of learning, as well as metrics for measuring the organizational impact of learning. This book also has essential guidance on how to use learning analytics to assess the return on investment (ROI) of learning and how to use these results to adopt a data-driven approach and map learning metrics to organizational KPIs. Learning Metrics also includes guidance on how to communicate the impact of the company's learning and development activity to all business stakeholders.
Full of practical guidance, examples, advice and case studies from organizations including Pfizer, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Merck and Hewlett Packard, this is essential reading for all L&D professionals needing to measure the impact of L&D activity in the business but not sure where to start.

Ajay Pangarkar is the co-founder of CentralKnowledge where he works with global organizations to plan, align, and execute learning strategies that drive strategic change. He is an award-winning learning expert, a LinkedIn Learning instructor, industry speaker and a professor at the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.

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Teresa Kirkwood is the co-founder and Vice President, Operations of CentralKnowledge and President of its e-learning division. She develops training infrastructures and solutions that contribute directly to a company's strategic objectives.

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"For the longest time businesses only spoke about the client experience. Top of mind now for the best leaders? What's the employee experience and how to do we make it as compelling as the customer's experience? L&D is the answer. In Learning Metrics, the authors hand you the playbook (and themetrics) you need to measure the actual impact of how your team in learning, growing and becoming their best. Buy it, read it, implement it and keep it on your desk... that's where my copy sits."

Mitch Joel, Founder, ThinkersOne. Author, Six Pixels of Separation & CTRL ALT Delete.

"Measuring learning is undoubtedly one of the most important yet often neglected parts of learning and development work within an organization. Often put into the 'too difficult' bucket, measuring the impact of our learning efforts is not the imperative they should be. However, in this book our authors walk us through the process of making learning metrics an integral part of our people development. I appreciate the honest approach in this book with 'in your face' lines such as; "..those requiring the learning don't really care about your training." This book is designed to help you help them care more! What I love is this whole book is rooted in practical application; the chapter titles entice us with words like operation, application, participant, engagement, performance and the author's follow through with the practical offer. This speaks volumes to the authors' experiences, which they openly share to readers to ensure impactful use of learning metrics."

Michelle Parry-Slater, author of The Learning and Development Handbook, Kairos Modern Learning

"This book delights in sharing that L&D can show its credibility and effectiveness by aligning to operational metrics. Use it as the blueprint to prove the enhanced employee performance we know we can all deliver."

Jo Cook, Editor, Training Journal and Virtual Learning Specialist, Lightbulb Moment

"Learning Metrics demystifies the complex task of measuring the contributions of learning to organisztions, making it an important resource for anyone committed to the professional credibility and effectiveness of their L&D function. The authors pragmatically confront the intangible nature of knowledge and skills acquisition, providing clear guidance on demonstrating the tangible value of learning initiatives through their linkage to operational metrics. Pangarkar and Kirkwood effectively strip away the emotion often associated with L&D's value, instead offering a clear-eyed view of how to step up to accountability for learning efforts - just like any other business function."

Michelle Ockers, Chief Learning Strategist, Learning Uncut

"This book by Ajay Pangarkar and Teresa Kirkwood is an essential guide for every talent development professional's toolkit. The authors brilliantly explain the critical importance of measuring learning outcomes and offer actionable strategies for maximizing organizational impact. From understanding why measuring impact is critical to aligning learning metrics with management's expectations, this book provides real-world examples, case studies and practical insights that equip readers with the tools and knowledge required to enhance learning effectiveness, drive business performance and become invaluable strategic partners within their organizations."

Sardek P. Love, CEO, Sardek Love International

"Having delved into Learning Metrics by Ajay Pangarkar and Teresa Kirkwood, I am thoroughly impressed by its practicality and depth. This book cuts through the complexity of measuring organizational learning, turning a challenging topic into an actionable strategy. I appreciate the clear, real-world applications presented here. Learning Metrics is a must-have for anyone serious about aligning learning initiatives with business goals. It's a game-changer for professionals dedicated to making a tangible impact in their organizations."

Josh Cavalier, Founder, JoshCavalier.ai

"I can confidently say that Learning Metrics is an exceptionally insightful and comprehensive guide that equips L&D professionals with tools and a needed perspective. The authors bridge the gap between L&D's support function and how the business strategizes and operates by showing us how to move beyond commodity thinking and become an invested strategic partner. Their concept of "genuine employee engagement in learning context" is particularly insightful, which everyone in L&D should leverage. This is a must-read for those serious about L&D's impact on strategic business decisions and operational execution."

Gary A. DePaul, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Learning, Design and Technology, University of North Carolina

"Whether you're an L&D practitioner who needs to tie training to real-world outcomes or an organizational leader striving to make a strong business case for eLearning initiatives, Learning Metrics equips you with the know-how to demonstrate how learning efforts are linked to business success and performance. It covers everything from the metrics you should be tracking to value chains that leverage KPIs. It's an essential read for anyone who wants to delve deeper into organizational learning's impact on operations and talent development and go far beyond the theoretical applications of L&D analytics."

Christopher Pappas, Founder, eLearning Industry Inc

"Learning Metrics tackles the critical yet too often elusive goal of quantifying the value of learning and development initiatives. By exploring the intricate relationship between operational metrics and learning outcomes alongside practical applications and insights into participant engagement and learning analytics, this book provides valuable resources for overcoming this fundamental challenge within L&D. It provides a comprehensive roadmap for aligning learning strategies with organizational performance and management's expectations, shining much-needed light on a path forward for professionals who strive to demonstrate the tangible benefits of learning and development initiatives."

David Kelly, CEO, The Learning Guild

"Learning Metrics is sure to become a classic in the talent development industry. The book takes you into the intricacies of measuring the impact of organizational learning. It shows you how you can become adept and demonstrate the results of training to your organization's bottom line."

Elaine Biech, Skills for Career Success Principal Author, TDBoK

"One day - on your road to maturity as learning professional - you'll discover the importance of metrics. At that moment you hope to find some experts who understand both learning and all things metrics at a deep level. You'll be grateful that they share their expertise via this immense valuable book that will lift your career as a learning professional to the next level."

Ger Driesen, Learning Innovation Leader, aNewSpring

"Understanding measurements, metrics, and analytics is more critical than ever for L&D professionals. We must be accountable for the value our efforts attempt to provide. If we can't show value, we are in trouble. But how do you show value in L&D? The answer is here. If you want to know how to show value, read this book. If you want to know how to discuss the financial side of the field of L&D, read this book. If you want to know how to measure learner engagement, read this book. Reading this book will provide you with the knowledge, tools, and expertise you need to guide your team toward accountability for your L&D efforts. And that is valuable to everyone."

Karl Kapp, Professor of Instructional Design and Technology, Commonwealth University