2025 Community of Human and Organizational Learning 31st Annual Conference

In an era where organizations face ever-growing complexities, investing in learning programs is no longer optional—it’s essential. But securing leadership buy-in often hinges on one critical factor: return on investment (ROI). How do you effectively measure the value of organizational learning, especially when many benefits, like workforce resilience or enhanced safety, are difficult to quantify? This session offers a comprehensive framework for calculating ROI in organizational learning, bridging the gap between qualitative insights and measurable outcomes.

We’ll begin by examining the challenges of traditional ROI calculations, which often fail to capture the multifaceted benefits of learning programs. Attendees will learn how to go beyond monetary metrics by incorporating non-monetary benefits like improved compliance, risk reduction, and cultural transformation. This approach enables organizations to create compelling business cases that resonate with leadership priorities while ensuring a balance between short-term costs and long-term strategic value.

The session highlights practical strategies for integrating ROI into structured problem-solving tools like Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and modern approaches like Human and Organizational Performance (HOP). We’ll explore how these methods contribute to tangible outcomes, such as reducing downtime, preventing costly incidents, and fostering adaptive, resilient teams.

Through real-world examples from industries like aerospace, manufacturing, construction, and utilities, we’ll illustrate how organizations have successfully tied learning programs to ROI. Attendees will learn how to:
• Identify key metrics that align with organizational goals.
• Communicate the value of learning in terms leadership understands.
• Propose solutions that balance cost-effectiveness with long-term improvement.
• Address common barriers, such as skepticism or resource constraints, by demonstrating clear benefits.

This session is designed to be interactive and engaging. Participants will work through ROI scenarios, identify meaningful metrics for their own organizations, and discuss real-life challenges in quantifying learning impact. By the end, attendees will leave with actionable tools to measure, communicate, and maximize the ROI of learning initiatives.

Whether you’re building a business case for a new program or refining an existing strategy, this session equips you to turn organizational learning into measurable, actionable value that drives sustainable improvement.