Results Contract
A Results Contract is a practical agreement created during a performance consulting initiative that defines the business outcome an organization is trying to achieve, the agreed-upon solution, and how success will be measured. Unlike a traditional training request that focuses on creating a course or workshop, a results contract keeps the conversation centered on measurable business impact and expected performance improvement.
In performance consulting, the goal is not simply to deliver learning. The goal is to improve performance. A results contract helps align stakeholders before implementation begins by clarifying what problem is being solved, what changes are expected, and who is responsible for supporting the solution. The agreed-upon approach may include training, performance support tools, process improvements, coaching, communication strategies, manager involvement, or workflow changes.
A strong results contract typically includes:
- The business objective
- The agreed-upon solution
- Expected performance changes
- Success measures or metrics
- Timeline and ownership
- Definition of success
For example, instead of measuring whether employees completed a course, a results contract may define success as reducing onboarding time, improving customer satisfaction scores, increasing sales conversions, reducing compliance errors, or improving operational quality metrics.
Results contracts are commonly used by Performance Consulting professionals to create alignment between learning teams, business leaders, and stakeholders. They help prevent vague project goals, reduce misunderstandings, and ensure that learning initiatives stay connected to real organizational outcomes.
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Frequently Asked Questions About
Results Contracts:
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What is the purpose of a results contract in performance consulting?
A results contract helps ensure that everyone involved in a project agrees on the desired business outcome before a solution is implemented. Instead of focusing only on deliverables like courses or workshops, the contract defines what success looks like, how it will be measured, and what performance changes are expected. This helps keep learning initiatives aligned with real business needs.
How is a results contract different from a training request?
A traditional training request often starts with a predetermined solution, such as “we need a course.” A results contract takes a broader performance consulting approach by first identifying the business problem, desired outcomes, and root causes. The final solution may include training, but it could also involve coaching, process improvements, job aids, manager support, or performance support tools.
What should be included in a results contract?
Most results contracts include:
- The business objective
- The agreed-upon solution
- Expected performance changes
- Success measures or metrics
- Timeline and responsibilities
- Definition of success
The goal is to create clear alignment between stakeholders before implementation begins.
Who is responsible for creating a results contract?
Results contracts are typically developed collaboratively between business leaders, stakeholders, and the Performance Consulting professional or learning consultant leading the initiative. Successful results contracts require input from both the business side and the learning or performance team to ensure expectations, responsibilities, and measurements are clearly defined.
