TAP®: Learning Evaluation (APMG)

Learner feedback can help organisations understand the learning experience, but it does not show the full impact of a learning programme. To evaluate effectiveness, learning and development (L&D) professionals also need to assess workplace application, performance improvement and progress towards measurable business results.

TAP® Learning Evaluation develops the practical skills needed to evaluate learning projects using a structured, business-focused approach. You will explore the TAP® Evaluation Process and learn how to plan evaluation throughout the learning lifecycle, align initiatives with organisational goals, define measurable business benefits and create meaningful workplace performance outcomes.

Across this two-day course, you will practise designing assessments and workplace support strategies, collecting and analysing evaluation data, and measuring results using Return on Expectation (RoE) and Return on Investment (ROI). You will apply the process to a realistic case study and identify ways to use your learning within your own organisation.

The course also prepares you to demonstrate your workplace application through the TAP® Learning Evaluation Award process.

Prerequisites

The supplied course information does not specify mandatory prerequisites or previous qualifications. The course is intended for professionals involved in learning and development, learning analysis, training management, learning design or the evaluation of workplace learning initiatives.

Experience working with learning programmes or their outcomes may help you connect the practical activities to your role.

Target audience

This course is suitable for:

• Learning analysts, consultants and business partners
• Training managers and coordinators
• Learning designers and facilitators
• Learning and development professionals responsible for measuring learning effectiveness
• Professionals responsible for evaluating workplace learning initiatives

Day 1: Planning evaluation

Explore how to plan evaluation from the beginning of a learning project. You will consider how evaluation connects learning activity to workplace performance and organisational goals, then apply the TAP® Evaluation Process to a practical case study.

Introduction to learning evaluation

• Understanding the TAP® Training Cycle and the purpose and benefits of evaluation
• Exploring formative and summative evaluation
• Reviewing evaluation models and frameworks
• Understanding the TAP® Evaluation Framework
• Planning evaluation throughout the learning lifecycle

Aligning learning to organisational goals

• Understanding organisational goals and project aims
• Working with sponsors and stakeholders
• Identifying measurable business benefits
• Writing measurable business benefit statements
• Forecasting ROI
• Establishing success measures for learning projects

Workplace performance outcomes

• Defining workplace performance outcomes
• Linking learning to workplace performance
• Applying Bloom's Taxonomy to workplace outcomes
• Creating clear outcome statements
• Aligning outcomes with business needs

Workplace assessment and support

• Designing workplace assessment strategies
• Identifying sources of workplace evidence
• Selecting suitable assessment methods
• Supporting the application of learning in the workplace
• Understanding roles and responsibilities in learning transfer
• Planning workplace support mechanisms

Assessing learning

• Understanding the purpose of learning assessment
• Creating knowledge checks and skills assessments
• Matching assessments to learning objectives
• Selecting appropriate assessment methods
• Applying Bloom's Taxonomy to assessment design
• Establishing assessment criteria

Evaluation practical

Apply the TAP® Evaluation Process to a case study. Create business benefits and workplace performance outcomes, then design workplace assessment and support approaches alongside learning assessment activities.

Day 2: Measuring and reporting impact

Develop practical approaches to gathering and interpreting evaluation evidence. You will explore how to move beyond learner feedback, assess progress against business benefits and present findings that support informed decisions and continuous improvement.

Feedback and activity data

• Exploring the benefits and limitations of learner feedback
• Using written and verbal feedback methods
• Creating effective feedback questions
• Understanding feedback categories and question types
• Exploring rating scales and Net Promoter Score (NPS)
• Using descriptive-answer approaches
• Planning learning activity data collection

Collating and analysing data

• Identifying sources of evaluation data
• Bringing together feedback, assessment results and workplace evidence
• Identifying early indicators of success
• Analysing quantitative and qualitative data
• Interpreting trends and patterns
• Creating evaluation dashboards

Measuring business results

• Reviewing measurable business benefits
• Assessing business outcomes
• Applying Return on Expectation (RoE)
• Exploring Return on Investment (ROI)
• Calculating payback periods
• Demonstrating business impact

Reporting findings

• Interpreting evaluation results
• Creating evaluation reports
• Presenting findings to sponsors and stakeholders
• Making recommendations for improvement
• Identifying next steps and actions
• Communicating learning impact and value

Award preparation

• Reviewing TAP® Award requirements
• Identifying workplace implementation actions
• Gathering evidence and stakeholder feedback
• Preparing the TAP® Award submission

Exams and assessments

Assessment centres on applying the TAP® Evaluation Process to a practical case study and demonstrating how the learning can be used in the workplace.

During the course, you will practise defining business benefits and performance outcomes, designing assessments and support approaches, and exploring how to collect and interpret evaluation evidence. You will also identify actions to implement within your own organisation.

To complete the Award application, you must demonstrate how you have applied your learning in practice. Evidence of implementation and stakeholder feedback must be submitted within two months of attending the course.

Successful learners will be eligible to achieve the TAP® Learning Evaluation Award. The supplied information does not specify a formal examination or detailed assessment pass criteria.

Hands-on learning

Practical application runs throughout the programme. Using a realistic case study, you will apply the TAP® Evaluation Process to a learning project, establish business benefits and performance outcomes, and design assessment and support strategies.

You will also practise working with feedback, assessment results and workplace evidence, exploring ways to analyse findings and report on business impact. The workplace implementation requirement extends the learning beyond the course, giving you an opportunity to apply the approach within your organisation and gather supporting evidence and stakeholder feedback.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Explain the purpose and principles of learning evaluation and apply the TAP® Evaluation Process to a learning project
• Align learning initiatives with organisational goals, measurable business benefits and appropriate success measures
• Define workplace performance outcomes and design assessment and support strategies that encourage workplace application
• Create learning assessments and knowledge checks aligned with learning objectives
• Design feedback questions and approaches for collecting learning activity data
• Collate and analyse quantitative and qualitative evaluation data from multiple sources
• Identify indicators of workplace application and performance improvement
• Measure progress against business benefits using RoE, ROI and payback period calculations
• Interpret findings, identify improvement opportunities and communicate results through evaluation dashboards and reports