The first step in the strategic training and development process is to identify metrics to determine if training will be successful.

The first step in the strategic training and development process is to identify metrics to determine if training will be successful.

• A. Not Applicable
• B. False
• C. True
• D. Cannot be determined

Answer: (B)

The question tests the sequence of activities in the training and development process. Metrics to judge success belong to the evaluation phase, not the starting phase. In a strategic training effort, you begin with a needs assessment to identify performance gaps and align with business objectives. Only after diagnosing what’s needed do you design and implement the program, and then later establish how you will measure its impact. So saying that the first step is to identify metrics is false, because you first determine what needs improvement and what success looks like, then decide on the metrics to evaluate those outcomes. After this initial diagnosis, you can define specific metrics tied to the identified goals and desired performance, but they come later in the process, not at the outset.

The question tests the sequence of activities in the training and development process. Metrics to judge success belong to the evaluation phase, not the starting phase. In a strategic training effort, you begin with a needs assessment to identify performance gaps and align with business objectives. Only after diagnosing what’s needed do you design and implement the program, and then later establish how you will measure its impact.

So saying that the first step is to identify metrics is false, because you first determine what needs improvement and what success looks like, then decide on the metrics to evaluate those outcomes. After this initial diagnosis, you can define specific metrics tied to the identified goals and desired performance, but they come later in the process, not at the outset.