In answer to your question it is usually a combination of several "suspects" some evident some hidden.
The question is, what is the appropriate tool used for financial ($) evaluation ? There are many, its the when, how and why.... under what circumstances, history of effectiveness in this situation under these organizational circumstances. I realize not many in the training profession can or want do this activity.
The real purpose of any financial evaluation is to TELL/INFORM you of something so you may take suitable action.
I appreciate PatB's second comment. Its really not up to her/you or I (liken this to holding the bag) ,its the work of the involved. If your fellow managers cannot supply the knowledge input needed. Then what do they know and is this an indication of their overall effectiveness ? If that is the case, it is small wonder about their attitude and behavior.

Nero

I am in a master's program at Capella University. Any chance you would forward the metrics you use to measure ROI on leadership training?

My company has only recently began taking the ROI of Training seriously. In the past there have been a variety of reasons for not taking ROI into account, as nero wolfe clearly pointed out. Our company has continued to rapidly grow over the past year, and is beginning to take a tougher look at budgets and future planning. This, of course, puts Training and Development under a closer eye. So, the main reason for a surrgence in ROI investigations within my company is due to the size and growth. No one wants this growth to end, or for the company to waste money and resources and waste all of the growth we have worked so hard to create. Another reason is that we have recently hired new leadership from the outside who have experience with large budgets and ROI estimations and recognize thier importance and usefullness. It is essentially these new outsiders that are saying, "Wait, hold the phone, we may not be getting returns on these training investments, we need to do more ROI estimations to find out..."

Part of the trouble in fact is that few of us have a great deal of real experience with this. What do you think is the best starting point for someone with very limited knowledge. An "ROI for Dummies" if you will?

Thanks for any input.

Devo

Thanks so much for your reply! I'd recommend The ROI Fieldbook as a great starting point. It has clear examples and explanations, as well as a CD with tools and templates.

Barbara

Try,after reading,to talk with the $$$ folks where you can enlist their advice on how and what top management expects to see to make them happy to increase your budget.

Nero