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