The most important aspect of the program is the closed loop feedback channel introduced in the system that enables a comprehensive evaluation and analysis of the program so as to facilitate and ensure quality gets consistently maintained. The genesis of this approach is in the implementation process adopted for conducting the programs, which is elaborated below:
THE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS
The DRUM Training Program implementation process is designed to follow a well established and proven structure to help design, deliver and monitor the results of a multitude of training programs.
These represent series of documents that have been produced for each DRUM Training Program, in collaboration with the DRUM training institutions, taking each training activity from its planning phase smoothly through a collaborative development stage to the delivery of the course to a target audience of trainees, and finally an assessment of the impact of the course on the participants.
With standardized features, the DRUM Training Program documents have a recognizable uniform look that helps create a long lasting DRUM Training Program trademark valued for the quality training and results it promises.
The DRUM Training Program process framework is Reflected below :
Training Program Description
The Training Program Description is the key starter to any program, it is an informative write-up expressing the key elements of the program concept. This step defines the planned activity as being a Course, Workshop, Seminar, or something else based on its intended length, type of presentation and contents. It has been developed in collaboration with the participating Indian Training Institution and sent out to the distribution utilities, SEBs and other targeted audiences as a marketing tool to invite participants. The Training Program Description includes:
- Key information on the planned training activity (name of the organizing institution, title of the training program, date, venue, Duration of the activity, etc.)
- Brief description of the planned training activity
- Identified target audience (type and level of personnel)
- Faculty and instructors
- General information to the participants (fee, boarding, lodging, etc.)
Training Program Agenda
Training Program Agenda is the next logical step in the development of a training activity. It provides an increased level of detail about the program, complete with exact daily schedule of the program and designated faculty for each of the activity sections:
- Key information on the planned training activity (name of the organizing institution, title of the training program, date, venue, duration of the activity, etc.)
- Detailed daily program of the activity, complete with time schedules, as well as titles and contents of course module
Training Program Manual
The Training Program Manual or Book is developed under the program in collaboration with the participating Indian training institutions for each training activity represents the essential component in delivering the actual training. It is provided to each participant for their personal use during the course, complete with the program description, agenda, and important details on the facilitating training institution as well as faculty members.
The fundamental purpose of the Training Program Manual is to provide the trainees with complete course presentation materials with note taking availability to maximize the participants' information comprehension and retaining abilities.
In addition, the Manual always contains supplementary background materials on the respective course subject matter. These may include relevant articles, case studies, sample best practices, and other analytical writings to complement and reinforce what have already been covered in the classroom.
All classroom presentations made by various instructors also bear a uniform look to further reassure the trainees of the thorough quality control applied on all course products and instill in them the high standards of DRUM Training.
Finally, a CD, containing an electronic back up of all materials provided to the trainees, accompanies the Training Program Manual
In a quick overview, the Manual contains:
- Brief introduction providing the background and objectives of the DRUM training program
- Brief descriptions of the facilitators
- Brief descriptions of the course instructors, providing key information on their related expertise and previous experience
- Training program agenda
- Complete training program materials, including power point presentations delivered in classroom, and any planned role play exercises
- Relevant reference and additional background materials for the trainees to supplement information provided to them in the classroom
Training Program Certificate
As recognition of the completion of the training program, each trainee receives a DRUM Training Program Certificate to certify his/her attendance and active participation in the respective DRUM Training Program under the U.S. Agency for International Development funded Distribution Reform, Upgrades and Management Project.
Evaluation Survey
The Evaluation Survey is designed to assess the level of comprehension, learning, and in-class knowledge sharing of the trainees, through specific questions related to the training program contents and delivery. The survey questionnaire is distributed to all participants at the end of the training program, to be filled out anonymously and returned to the instructors immediately.
The trainees are asked to evaluate several aspects of the training they received, such as:
- General interest and usefulness of the course contents
- Independent and contextual value of each training module
- Presentation and involvement skills of each faculty member
- Helpfulness of audio/visual materials
- Highlights of the classroom activities and recommendations for any changes
- Organization and relevance of simulation role play exercises and interactive discussions
- Benefits of field visits
- Applicability and level of realistic implementation of the learned materials in the trainee's every day job
This Evaluation Survey is followed up by another questionnaire to the participants 6-8 months after they received the training with the goal to document the impact, benefit and result (large or small) which may have come about directly, or indirectly, from the trainees' participation in the DRUM Training Program. Writing about “success” in applying the knowledge the trainees gained from their participation will help the Indian Institutions, CORE, and the U.S. Agency for International Development design future activities under this and other programs.
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