How to write learning outcomes vs objectives in corporate training
What about writing learning outcomes vs objectives? Having a general idea is one thing, but putting it into clear, actionable words is another.
Don’t worry. These tips and examples can help.
Creating learning outcomes
Create your learning outcomes before your objectives. Think of it as starting with the big picture, and then drilling down into the steps needed to achieve it.
Good learning outcomes describe two things:
- The change you want to see in your learners
- The measurable impact this change will have on your organization
Example:
Learners will be able to identify workplace hazards and act appropriately, reducing on-site incidents by 20% over the next six months.
Always align your learning outcomes with organizational goals – such as improving workplace safety in this example.
Creating learning objectives
To help write learning objectives, a specific set of verbs – action words – is often used. These are based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, a model that categorizes learning into levels, from basic knowledge to advanced skills.
Corporate training typically targets the lowest two levels: remember and understand. That’s because learners often haven’t yet had the chance to reach the next highest level and apply what they’ve learned.
Here are the verbs for those levels:
Understand
Describe, explain, paraphrase, restate, give original examples of, summarize, contrast, interpret, discuss.
Remember
List, recite, outline, define, name, match, quote, recall, identify, label, recognize.
Using specific verbs helps you create clear, actionable, and easy to evaluate objectives. Let’s use them to write three learning objectives that align with the earlier learning outcome:
By the end of this training, learners will be able to list common on-site hazards, describe the correct process to address each hazard, and explain the potential consequences of failing to do so.
Notice how each objective directly supports the broader learning outcome. Together, they create a roadmap for learners to achieve meaningful, measurable change.