Predictive Evaluation: New Book Spotlights Innovative Training Evaluation Approach

Online, December 6, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Training evaluation leader and author Dave Basarab is launching his second book, Predictive Evaluation, on January 10, 2011. This new book spotlights Basarab's Predictive Evaluation (PE) Model, the first and only training and evaluation approach to add the element of prediction. The PE Model is an invaluable approach that helps professionals who struggle to define training's success, justify training's value, and predict return.

"Using the PE model, trainers and business leaders can now successfully predict training's results with value, intention, adoption and impact, allowing them to make smarter, more strategic training and evaluation investments," said Dave Basarab, author and training/evaluation expert and owner of V.A.L.E. Consulting, LLC. "PE is a unique methodology that enables trainers and business leaders to predict the quantifiable impact of training to forecast training investments, results and ROI."

In the book, Basarab explains how to begin by identifying the specific goals and beliefs to instill in participants, determine exactly what these will look like when put into action, develop quantifiable measures of how employees' adopting the target beliefs and goals will impact the business, predict value, measure against those predictions, use leading indicators to stay on track, and report in a business format that executives can easily understand.

"We needed a method of assessing the business value of training that would be straightforward to implement, as well as understandable and compelling to business leaders," Basarab continued. "We also needed to interweave outcomes and leading indicators into training during design and delivery - to move from an event-driven function to one that predicts success, measures performance against those predictions, and returns significant shareholder value for the funds invested. Predictive Evaluation does all of that."

Predictive Evaluation is endorsed by prestigious industry leaders Donald L. Kirkpatrick, PhD and James D. Kirkpatrick, PhD, who also wrote the book's foreword.

"Predictive evaluation will greatly enhance training's acceptance as a business function like any other, one where projections are made, progress is measured, and effectiveness is definitely determined. Rather than being regarded as an expense and an act of faith, training will be seen as an investment with a concrete payoff," according to Donald L. Kirpatrick, PhD.

The PE Model is a practical step-by-step process that begins where most other training evaluations stop. It's unique because it:

- Adds the element of prediction to training evaluations, and is the first training evaluation model to do so.
- Requires student participation, making employees feel invested and engaged throughout the process.
- Can be used with existing or new courses and works equally well with classroom-based training, on-the-job training, on-line learning, workshops, etc.
- Is appropriate for content across all industries and departments.
- Is suitable for staff at all levels.
- Provides recommendations for continuous improvement.

"With his innovative Predictive Evaluation model, Dave will transform 21st-century training evaluation. Written from the viewpoint of an experienced practitioner, Dave provides a road map for truly forecasting the business impact of training prior to making the investment," according to Rita Smith, Vice President of Enterprise Learning, Ingersoll Rand University.

Dave Basarab, the founder of V.A.L.E. Consulting, LLC, and co-founder of P&D Learning, LLC, is an experienced evaluator and author that has led strategic training initiatives for leading companies like NCR, Motorola, Pitney Bowes, and Ingersoll Rand. He's also an award-winning trainer, teacher, and speaker on leadership, learning strategies, and evaluation strategies. Most recently, he was appointed to the national Board of Directors for Berrett-Koehler Publisher's Authors Co-op.

Berrett-Koehler Publishers will release Predictive Evaluation on January 10, 2011. The book will be available at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, 800CEORead.com, and through Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Predictive Evaluation is a follow-up to Basarab's previous book The Training Evaluation Process.

Basarab will be traveling the country, starting in January 2011, providing more insight and answering questions about how trainers and business leaders can most effectively use the Predictive Evaluation model. He's currently booking speaking opportunities with local chapters of training organizations, including ASTD, ISPI, SHRM, and the American Evaluation Association.

For an advanced copy of the book, an interview with author Dave Basarab, or other information, please contact Adrienne Walkowiak, Publicist, at [email protected]. For more information about Basarab, Predictive Evaluation, and Webinar dates, please visit: www.evaluatetraining.com. You can also find Dave on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and sign up for his blog at http://www.evaluatetraining.com/blog/.