Evaluating and Benchmarking Non-Governmental Training Programs: An Analytic Hierarchy Approach

This study uses Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a multi-criteria decision making technique for evaluating training programs. Critical factors characterizing successful training programs are first identified using interviews with experts along with questionnaires. Once the factors were identified, the hierarchy was constructed and the factors were ranked according to their importance with respect to achieving the overall goal set for training. Results show that, of these critical factors, content and trainer rank the highest, while logistics came last. Then, two existing non-governmental training programs are selected, evaluated, and compared. Moreover, and as requested by one of the administrations of one of the evaluated programs, a benchmarking alternative is derived based on the results of the two training programs. Finally, recommendations are given to each of these programs in particular and training programs in general, for possible areas of improvements based on the strengths and weaknesses of each program as compared to the benchmark.