It all started with the BIG question on the table.
What do KPIs really mean for learning and development—and how do we connect to them in a way that makes sense?

 

It quickly became clear that KPI's stir up mixed feelings: exciting for some, confusing or even intimidating for others. Some departments track them obsessively, while others barely mention them. And yet, whether in higher ed, nonprofits, or corporate spaces, KPIs are always there in the background—tied to growth, efficiency, donations, or retention.

 

The conversation turned to how L&D can play a role. Instead of talking about “alignment” in vague terms, we unpacked what it looks like in practice. Training that speeds up the sales funnel, leadership programs that reduce turnover, onboarding that improves retention—all are ways to show impact in terms the business already values. Along the way, we explored the difference between lagging indicators (like employees leaving) and leading ones (like manager behaviors that influence retention).

 

We also shared the challenge of shifting the dialogue. Too often, L&D is expected to deliver courses without asking how they tie to business outcomes. But when we reframe objectives as performance outcomes—“reduce manual processing time by 20%” instead of “complete data entry tasks”—we position ourselves as partners who impact KPIs, not just order takers.

 

KPIs may not always be easy to find, but they’re out there in budgets, reports, and conversations with stakeholders. The more we connect our work to those measures, the stronger our seat at the table becomes.

 

So what KPI in your organization could you start asking about today?

 

Stay curious!
-Shannon

 

Video

 

Transcript

 

Transcript Summary

 

Chatbox

 

Resources

 

From Urbie Delgado on KPI:

 

 

Technique        


Is it a KPI?


Why it is     


Why it isn’t




Before/After Snapshots


KPI-ish 


Shows change over time


More narrative than numeric

 

Behavior Change in the Wild 


KPI-lite


Tracks real-world actions 


Qualitative, not quantified

 

Small Wins, Big Echoes


KPI by anecdote


Ties learning to outcomes


Not tracked systematically

 

Peer Recognition/Adoption


Shadow KPI 


Indicates influence and trust 


Too soft for traditional metrics

 

Performance Drift Reversal


Covert KPI


Links to process improvement


Used case-by-case

 

Stakeholder Testimonials


Relational KPI


Shows business partner buy-in


Subjective and anecdotal

 

 

Learning Changemakers Tool 7: Improving Impact pdf

 

Kevin Yates Detective Kit

 

Substack on Execution, by Larry Bossidy & Ram Charan by Evan Samek

 

Learning Rebels Blog: Connecting The Dots: From Skills Gaps To Business Outcomes

 

Books

 

Measurement Demystified: Creating Your L&D Measurement, Analytics, and Reporting Strategy by David Vance and Peggy Parskey

 

Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring by Alaina Szlachta

 

A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge by Liba

 

Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Ram Charan and Larry Bossidy

 

Data Analytics and KPIs for Project Success by Moira Alexander

 

Developing Meaningful Key Performance Indicators by Clive Keyte

 

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Host: Shannon Tipton 
Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions