Always Know Your Outcome

Outcomes

 There is a saying that says, “When a man does not know what harbour he is making for, no wind is the right wind”. This saying describes the reasons for setting outcomes for any training session – if we do not know where we are going, we will never know when we have arrived.

An objective (statement of outcome) is always written with the specific focus on the learner.  It describes what the learner will be able to do or understand as a result of the session.

The rules for writing training objectives are:

1. Objectives should relate to the learner.
2. Objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART).
3. Objectives describe something that the learner will be able to do as a result of their learning.  Therefore objectives should always contain a verb of action.
4. Objectives also describe how well – to what standard – the learner will be able to perform that action.

For example:

• By the end of this session participants will be able to make an accurate and complete entry in the accident book.
• By the end of this session participants will be able to use a structured process for planning a negotiation.

Follow the TenMinuteTrainerTips blog for loads of ideas on how to creat short and effective training sessions.

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