Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Practice Exam

What is the first step to developing an effective training program?

1. Conducting a staff survey

2. Setting learning objectives

3. Evaluating previous training

4. Creating a budget

The correct answer is: Setting learning objectives

Setting learning objectives is indeed the first step to developing an effective training program because these objectives provide a clear direction for the entire training initiative. They help articulate what the trainees should be able to achieve by the end of the program and guide the design of content and assessments. When learning objectives are well-defined, they also ensure that the training is relevant and aligned with organizational goals, enabling trainers to create focused content that meets specific needs. While conducting a staff survey can gather valuable insights about training needs, it is more effective to first establish objectives based on organizational goals. Evaluating previous training provides context and lessons learned, but it should follow the initial step of creating objectives that ensure training is targeted and effective. Creating a budget is essential for planning purposes but comes after defining what needs to be achieved with the training.