Outcomes
From Learning and training wiki
 OUTCOMES |
| Statements of benefits for learners during or after their participation to a program of formal or informal learning. Generally they relate to knowledge or skills gained, attitudes, values, behaviors changed, as well as to condition or status improved. Outcomes differ from learning objectives in the fact that objectives are statements of intent rather than actual results. Outcomes are not always related to a change, since they refer to the effect of an activity or work, also in terms of keeping or preventing a situation. The term "outcome" must also be clearly distinguished from "inputs", "outputs" and "impact". Inputs describe the resources needed to deliver some outputs, which are the products gained from a project or a work (e.g. publication, flyer, paper). While output is something tangible, it is the product or service that comes out of a process, outcome is its direct result to the individual, to the team or to the organization. For instance, the output of a recruiting process is the group of newly appointed people; on the contrary, the outcome is related to their performance. For instance, the newly appointed people can be too late for the line manager (Timeliness); capable, or incapable of performing their role (Competence vs. Requirements); too many, or too few (Quantity) and so on. Outcomes can be measured according to present standards of accuracy, cost, and speed. Impact, finally, involves a higher and broader level than the one implied by the outcome. Information on the outcomes is important, because can be useful for the organization in order to make its work more effective, by pointing out successes and failures. Paying attention to the outcomes also demonstrates that the organization can learn from its experience and improve its performance. Moreover, the staff can be motivated when they see evidence of the outcomes their work has. [1] |
References
- ↑ www.bota.org (11 July 2008), www.montgomerycollege.edu (11 July 2008), artswork.asu.edu (11 January 2010), wiki.answers.com (11 January 2010), www.performance-measurement.net (11 January 2010)