Data-Driven L&D: How Analytics Are Elevating Training Outcomes and ROI
- Tarkus Learning
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
As organizations move toward data-first decision-making, Learning & Development is under growing pressure to demonstrate measurable impact. Training teams are being asked to go beyond activity reporting and prove how learning outcomes translate into improved business performance.
Learning analytics, when applied strategically, offers a powerful path forward. But for many L&D leaders, the real challenge isn’t just access to data. It’s about getting the right data in the right format and using it to inform business decisions.
That’s where most learning platforms fall short.
Why Traditional LMS and LXPs Often Don’t Deliver
While most LMS and LXP vendors promise robust analytics, the reality inside large organizations tells a different story:
Siloed systems: Learning data is often disconnected from HRIS, performance management, or business intelligence tools, making it hard to connect learning to results.
Generic dashboards: Off-the-shelf reporting rarely maps to an organization's specific goals or key performance indicators.
Surface-level metrics: Time spent or completion rates may look good on a report, but say little about skill development or behaviour change.
Limited integration: Many platforms lack the flexibility to pull in cross-system data, such as sales performance, service metrics, or productivity indicators.
One-size-fits-all design: Different roles, regions, and business units often require different insights, but most platforms aren't built to adapt.
“Most LXPs and LMSs today are not built for the level of talent intelligence companies now need. They provide content delivery, not insight.” - Josh Bersin, Global Industry Analyst.
The Case for a Custom Learning Analytics Infrastructure
To truly become data-driven, L&D teams need more than what out-of-the-box platforms offer. They need:
Custom-built dashboards that align with business priorities, not just platform defined metrics.
Cross-system data aggregation, pulling insights from HR, CRM, and operations systems to contextualize learning performance.
Predictive capabilities that help spot skill gaps before they impact the business.
Role-specific analytics to tailor development paths by function, geography, or level.
Yet building this capability in-house presents its own set of challenges:
Lack of internal data expertise within the L&D function
Overreliance on IT teams for access and maintenance
Difficulty in defining the right metrics to align learning and business goals
Security and compliance considerations around data integration
At Tarkus Learning, we specialize in helping enterprise L&D teams overcome these barriers, building tailored learning analytics systems that go far beyond what LMS and LXP providers offer.
What sets us apart:
Cloud-native data platforms: We centralize and normalize learning data across systems - HRIS, LMS, CRM, and performance tools, using secure, scalable cloud architectures.
Custom analytics dashboards: Designed with your L&D strategy and business KPIs in mind, not vendor limitations.
Consulting-first approach: We collaborate with L&D, HR, and IT leaders to define metrics that matter and design insights that drive action.
AI-powered personalization: We enable adaptive learning pathways based on role, performance trends, and future skill needs.
Decades of expertise: With roots in enterprise data systems and Fortune 1000 consulting, we understand both the tech and the talent side of analytics transformation.
Building the Business Case with Learning Data
One of the most potent uses of learning analytics is telling a credible story of impact, one that resonates with executives and drives investment.
Our approach helps clients:
Align learning metrics to business goals
Baseline and benchmark performance
Combine quantitative and qualitative data for context
Package insights into executive-ready narratives
Track ROI over time, not just post-training, but post-performance
Analytics allows us to go beyond ‘Did they learn it?’ and ask ‘Did it change what they do—and did that matter to the business? - Jenny Dearborn, Former CLO, SAP
L&D is no longer just about delivering programs; it’s about enabling performance, and that means making data a core capability. The most successful L&D teams will be those that shift from reporting to insight generation, from passive dashboards to predictive intelligence.
Tarkus Learning is the partner that helps make that shift. With deep technical expertise and a strategic understanding of enterprise L&D, we build systems that empower your team to move faster, prove value, and lead with insight.
Ready to Turn Learning Data Into Business Impact?
If your current LMS or LXP isn’t giving you the insights you need or if you’re ready to align your learning programs with business outcomes.
Tarkus Learning can help.
We partner with L&D and HR leaders to build custom analytics platforms that deliver real intelligence, not just reports. Whether you're just starting out or scaling an enterprise-wide transformation, we provide the strategy, systems, and support to help you get there.
Let’s talk about how to make your L&D function data-driven and outcome-aligned.
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