Today's executive education programmes must lend themselves to comprehensive evaluation and measurement, in order that return on investment can be clearly demonstrated in the boardroom. This requires a unique approach to programme design from the outset, providing scope to ensure that outcomes can be continually followed up, long after an event has taken place. This paper aims to examine proven methods used to achieve this objective, creating programmes that deliver proof of lasting results.
This is the 6DsTM approach pioneered by Calhoun Wick and Roy Pollock of the Fort Hill Company, on the basis of research undertaken amongst 30,000 learners. This method focuses on instigating behavioural change interventions over many months. It has been shown to significantly improve return on investment in executive education.
The paper states the evidence for the effectiveness of this technique but also highlights the fact that the majority of programmes are still not designed with the long‐term evaluation of performance and behavioural change in mind.
The paper challenges the paradigm of the traditional two‐day workshop where the trainer is centre‐stage. It instead concentrates on a new and innovative approach where the learner's line manager is pivotal, and success is measured in terms of measurable improvements in business performance. It will be of interest to educators and purchasers of executive education programmes.
