The "New" Kirkpatrick Model April 21, 2009 This white paper discusses the Kirkpatrick Four Levels and their evolution in the last 50 years
By Jim Kirkpatrick, PhD and Wendy Kayser Kirkpatrick
The Kirkpatrick Four Levels are turning 50 this year! November 1959 marked the first time Don Kirkpatrick published his thoughts on training evaluation. Don will tell you he did not call them levels, nor did he coin the phrase "Kirkpatrick Four Level Evaluation Model." He did, however, identify and describe the legendary four words that comprise the foremost training evaluation model today: Reaction, Learning, Behavior, and Results.
On the anniversary of the four levels we first honor Don and his work, and second share with you how the four levels have both evolved and remained relevant over the last half century. This evolution includes an all-new Kirkpatrick Model diagram, being unveiled for the first time in this white paper.
The "new" Kirkpatrick Model contains the complete illustration of the ideas Don developed 50 years ago. It shows that the four levels are an integral part of every step in the training process, not just evaluation. The new visual will aid both learning professionals and their business partners in creating training value together to yield maximum bottom-line results.