Interview with Donald Kirkpatrick

This interview with Dr. Donald Kirpatrick was recorded on March 15, 2010. Dr. Kirkpatrick has kindly agreed that I share this interview with fellow Linked:HR Members.

Dr. Kirpatrick is a pioneer in the field of training evaluation and has authored seven books on evaluation and other HR topics. He is a professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin and the Honorary Chairman of Kirkpatrick Partners (the web address of Kirkpatrick Partners is www.kirkpatrickpartners.com).

Dr. Kirkpatrick is such a legend in our field that I was thrilled and grateful when he agreed to this interview. The experience of hearing about the four levels of evaluation directly from Dr. Kirkpatrick was magical - and I hope other Members enjoy it as well! During this interview, Dr. Kirkpatrick answers various questions on the four levels of evaluation including:

• Can you tell us how it all began and what the four levels are?
• In the past, training directors focused mostly on the number of training programs offered, the number of trainees, and the participant reactions. Has this changed?
• Often we learn from what goes wrong. Do you have any "evaluation horror stories" to tell?
• What can you tell us about the use of control groups for evaluation?
• At your consulting firm, you talk about ROE or Return on Expectations. What is the difference between ROE and ROI (Return on Investment)?

To contact Dr. Kirkpatrick directly, please write him at dleekirk1@aol.com.