Training professionals everywhere are feeling pressure to prove the value and impact that their training initiatives can bring to the organization. Without a proven return on investment (ROI), management buy-in and training budgets are in jeopardy.

The ROI Methodology

The ROI Methodology is a scalable and systematic approach to program evaluation.

Using a process model, a five-level framework, and operating standards, the methodology enables you to capture performance metrics, ranging from simple satisfaction scores to financial impact, thereby collecting appropriate data to report the performance of various initiatives and program types.

The ROI Methodology generates both qualitative and quantitative data and provides techniques to isolate the program's effects from other influences, resulting in credible metrics and ROI reports accepted by financial executives and stakeholders.

With over 6,000 organizations using this process, the ROI Methodology is the most used and implemented evaluation system in the world.

The ROI Methodology not only provides the capability to evaluate program performance but also improves the design of programs for optimal impact. A focused, proven, and practical approach – the process is grounded in conservative standards and a cost-effective evaluation approach.

The ROI Experts

Dr. Patti P. Phillips, Ph.D., CEO of ROI Institute, Inc., is a renowned leader in measurement and evaluation. Patti helps organizations implement the ROI Methodology®️ in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Since 1997, Patti has been a driving force in the global adoption of the ROI Methodology and the use of measurement and evaluation to drive organizational change.

Her work as an educator, researcher, consultant, and coach supports practitioners as they develop their own expertise, enabling them to help organizations and communities thrive. Her work spans the private sector, the public sector, the nonprofit sector, and the nongovernmental organizations.

Patti serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). She serves as chair of the Institute for Corporate Productivity (I4CP) People Analytics Board, Principal Research Fellow for The Conference Board, board chair of the Center for Talent Reporting (CTR), and is a Fellow of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Certification Institute. She also serves on the faculty of the UN System Staff College in Turin, Italy.

Patti has authored or edited over 75 books on the subjects of measurement, evaluation, analytics, and ROI. Her work has been featured on CNBC, Euronews, and in more than a dozen business journals.

Dr. Jack J. Phillips, Ph.D., Chairman of the ROI Institute, Inc., is a world-renowned expert in accountability, measurement, and evaluation.

He provides consulting services for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit entities, and government and nongovernmental organizations globally. He is the author or editor of more than 100 books, conducts workshops, and presents at conferences worldwide.

Jack has received several awards for his books and work. The American Society for Training and Development gave him its highest honor, Distinguished Contribution to Workplace Learning and Development. The International Society for Performance Improvement presented Jack with its highest award, the Thomas F. Gilbert Award, in recognition of his contributions to human performance technology. On three occasions, Meeting News named him one of the 25 Most Powerful People in the Meetings and Events Industry, based on his work on ROI. The Society for Human Resource Management presented him with an award for one of his books and honored a Phillips ROI study with its highest award for creativity. In 2019, Jack, along with his wife, Patti P. Phillips, received the Distinguished Contributor Award from the Center for Talent Reporting for their contribution to the measurement and management of human capital.

His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, and Fortune. Several television programs, including CNN, have interviewed him. Jack regularly consults with clients in manufacturing, service, and government organizations across 70 countries worldwide.

The ROI Institute

ROI Institute, Inc. is the leading resource on research, learning, and networking for practitioners of the ROI Methodology(TM). Founders and owners Jack J. Phillips, Ph.D., and Patti P. Phillips, Ph.D., are recognized as the leading experts in applying ROI to learning, HR, and performance improvement programs.

Founded in 1993, the ROI Institute is a service-driven organization assisting professionals in improving their programs and processes through the use of the ROI Methodology. This methodology is a critical tool for measuring and evaluating programs with over 22 different applications in more than 70 countries.

ROI Institute offers a variety of consulting services, learning opportunities, and publications. It also conducts research activities for internal organizations, as well as for other enterprises, public sector entities, industries, and interest groups worldwide.

ROI Institute is the only organization offering ROI Certification to build expertise in implementing ROI evaluation and sustaining the measurement and evaluation process in your organization. Upon demonstrating the competencies in the ROI Methodology, certification is awarded.

There is no other process that provides access to the same level of expertise as our ROI Certification. To date, over 12,000 individuals have participated in this process.

What does “ROI of Learning” mean?

“ROI of Learning” refers to the process of measuring the return on investment for learning and development initiatives – linking training programs to business results. The products in this collection help you connect learning outcomes to organizational impact.

Who are these tools designed for?

These resources are intended for training and development leaders, HR professionals, consultants, facilitators, and organizational change agents who need to demonstrate value and ROI from their learning interventions.

What exactly do the training tools cover?

They cover the fundamentals of the ROI Institute’s ROI Methodology – a systematic approach to evaluation including a five-level framework, processes for data collection, techniques to isolate effects, and ways to report qualitative and quantitative results.

Why should I use this methodology instead of just measuring satisfaction or behavior change?

While satisfaction and behavior change are important, the ROI Methodology enables you to measure not only those levels, but also the impact (level 4) and the financial return (level 5). That gives you credible metrics that financial and executive stakeholders recognize.

Do I need prior specialist knowledge in evaluation or analytics to use these?

While some familiarity with training evaluation is helpful, the materials are structured so that training and development professionals can follow a step-by-step approach to build or refine ROI measurement practice.

How will using these tools benefit my organization?

By applying the methodology, you’re more likely to secure management buy-in, protect training budgets, justify investments in learning, and demonstrate tangible business results, effectively raising the credibility of your L&D function.