The Kirkpatrick Model: some facts on the past, present and future

It started in 1959 when Don Kirkpatrick wrote a series of four articles, each related to one subject at a time: he categorized them into reaction, learning, behavior, and results.

His first article was on reactions to learning (level 1). Then, he wrote about the learning itself and to what degree did the participates acquire the intended knowledge, skills and attitudes based on their participation in the learning event (level 2). Next, he wrote about behavior, to what degree did participants apply what they learned when they got back to their jobs. Finally, he wrote about results, to what degree were targeted results reached as a result of the learning event.

People in the industry talked about these four levels for decades. Did you know, it wasn't until 1993 that he institutionalized the four levels within a published book.

The model is not really changing today, but the way it is being used moving forward is a bit like reverse engineering. Formally, the typical learning model started with learning objectives, build on that and eventually the results were measured down the line months later. Changes were then made in the learning objectives based upon the results received. But, the feedback loop was quite long and took many iterations to improve, this is being called the chain of evidence.

Now, the chain of evidence is being reverse engineered. The final results or the goal achievement is modeled first. The model is socialized within the executive team and a concensus is reached. This becomes the development of the Level 4. Next, Level 3 is built, the behaviors to be exhibited based upon the results that are to be achieved. From there, the learning events are created that will teach those exhibited behaviors, Level two. Finally, the reactions are planned that the participants expect from the event, level one. I guess they are calling this the Reverse Kirkpatrick Model. The feedback loop is certainly shorter, although the development time is more complex.

One anecdotal tidbit I came across: every presentation that Don does in any venue is still done with the use of an overhead projector! Now he tells his audiences that "You are looking at a new piece of equipment, a special technology". Most believe him cause they never have seen anything like it.