Hi Friends
Of all the questions that we get, the most commonly asked
question is can we measure behavioral programs? Many say, ‘we cannot measure behavioral
programs.’
How many of you feel so?
We get calls to measure ‘mindfulness, empathy, and leadership
programs’.
When we ask L&D, what does it mean by mindful? They are
not able to frame it. So if we ourselves are not able to frame the meaning of
mindfulness, how do we measure it?
What is required is an objective definition to prove the monetary impact of the programs.
Three things are needed in measurement and evaluation
1 . Intent to measure
2 .
Know what to measure
3 .
How to measure
Rest follows.
After all, that is measured now was not measured a few
decades earlier (blood tests, technology). Who would have imagined then, that
such things also could be measured?
In the book ‘How to measure anything’, Douglas Hubbard gives
methods to measure what many believe are immeasurable or not sure how to
measure. He has used calibration estimates to check how much a person knows
about a particular topic.
One does not need to know sophisticated methods or high-end
statistics. Just need to start with an objective definition of what needs to be
measured and believe that behavioral programs can be measured.
With Gratitude
Sonali Wagle
