A Theoretical Model and Instrument for Selecting Vendor-Supplied Training Programs. Project Number 31

Criteria by which an organization should select a vendor-supplied training program and the measurement and rating of programs against such selection criteria are described. A review of the pertinent literature and research, from a theoretical rather than practical perspective, is included. Factors and criteria identified in the literature as important to evaluating a vendor-supplied program can be clustered around four dimensions: (1) content factors and their fit to the needs of the organization; (2) design factors and their utilization in the program; (3) control factors and the research and evaluation supporting the program; and (4) context factors and the fit of this program into the administrative aspects of the purchasing organization. A checklist of the identified criteria in these areas was created and used to develop an instrument with worksheets to compare the program under consideration to the model. Use of an instrument of this type would help ensure that programs were purchased on their merits and that flaws would be more readily apparent. Costs of training might drop and the importance of training would be enhanced in the organization. A 134-item list of references is included. Forty-seven figures illustrate process flowcharts and the worksheets for program evaluation. (SLD)