What should be asked to determine if a training program achieved its goals, focusing on outcomes?

• A. Reaction
• B. Result
• C. Learning
• D. Behavior

Answer: (B)

Focusing on the end impact is what shows whether training really achieved its goals. When you ask about the results, you’re looking at the actual effects on the organization after the training—did performance improve, did quality or productivity rise, did costs fall, or did revenue and ROI improve? These are the tangible outcomes that reveal whether the program met its intended aims.

Why this is the best fit: it directly links the training to business impact, not just what participants liked (reaction), what they learned (learning), or whether they applied it on the job (behavior). Those other aspects are useful checkpoints, but they don’t prove that the training delivered the desired results. By examining the results, you can determine if the program moved key metrics consistent with its goals.