One of the main hurdles organizations face when investing in a coaching program is accessing the data necessary for measuring program success. In many coaching programs, there is no structure for setting success criteria or objectives from the start. This is then amplified by a lack of tools to actually evaluate behavior change or capture data from the program. Because of this, organizations struggle to assess the actual impact and ROI of their coaching investment.
At Torch, we leverage a four-tiered framework, based on the Kirkpatrick model, to measure the effectiveness of learning and training programs, including coaching.
Levels of the Kirkpatrick Model
This model acts as a systematic approach to unraveling the layers of behavior change, starting with participant satisfaction and ending in tangible results. At each stage of this model, Torch has developed a suite of tools designed to facilitate and substantiate growth. These tools range from detailed administrative reports with insights into program progress, to colleague-reported feedback that ensures participants are focusing on the right behaviors.
Here’s a look into how Torch’s platform supports program admins in growing and developing their people:
Move towards the right measures of success
Within Torch’s platform, participants can access a suite of colleague-reported feedback tools designed to actively facilitate their growth and development. This built-in arsenal includes 360 assessments, impact surveys, and peer feedback surveys.
The 360 assessments and impact surveys help participants reflect on the most important areas for growth during their coaching journey. What sets these assessments apart is that they incorporate input from a participant’s colleagues, providing a more holistic perspective and insight into each participant’s development.
Example of insights participants receive from 360s
A noteworthy recent addition to our toolkit is Peer Feedback Surveys. These surveys enable participants to request and receive feedback from their colleagues every four months throughout their coaching engagement. These surveys automatically populate with the same colleagues who provided feedback in the participant’s 360 assessment, and participants can invite additional peers to provide feedback as well. Once colleagues submit their feedback, Torch aggregates their responses and provides participants and their coaches with insights in a Peer Feedback Report.
View of participant’s peer feedback report
Research shows that this feedback is core to shifting participant behavior, as it helps participants understand their progress from an outside perspective and identify additional areas for development. Responses are intentionally not anonymized, so participants can pinpoint which specific relationships improved as a result of coaching.
Understand ROI with detailed insights and reports
Measuring behavior change is complex, but Torch simplifies it by offering a range of tools and reports that empower admins to assess growth at each level of the Kirkpatrick model.
Starting with “Level 1: Reaction”, Torch equips admins with comprehensive coaching engagement reports. These reports deliver detailed data including participants’ satisfaction with their coach, user engagement, completion of action items, and more. These reports provide admins with insights into participants’ first impressions of the coaching program, and allows admins to proactively take action when they notice decreasing engagement.
Reports that admins can leverage to ensure program engagement
As we progress up the Kirkpatrick model to Level 2: Learning, Torch provides admins with a look into the skills participants are acquiring through self- and colleague-reported data. Tools like 360s and impact surveys allow admins to identify the skills and growth participants are gaining from the coaching program.
Admin view of 360 assessment results
At Level 3: Behavior, Torch provides organizations with insights around participants’ behavior change through QBRs and manual reporting. These reports not only shed light on growth at an individual level, but also provide a broader understanding of how participants’ behavior change ripples down and impacts their colleagues and team.
Once we reach the final level of the Kirkpatrick Model, Level 4: Results, Torch works with organizations to help them measure ROI by connecting Torch’s coaching data to other data sources such as engagement surveys, performance metrics, and retention data.
By implementing these tools and features, Torch empowers participants with the insights they need for success and also assists organizations in understanding the actual return on their coaching investment. To dive deeper into how Torch’s platform can transform your coaching programs, schedule a personalized demo with our team.
