Needs Analysis

Understanding its importance and data-gathering tools

Importance of Needs Analysis

Questions to ask:

  • Is the training to solve a specific problem at the workplace? To implement a new process or system? If the latter, why a course rather than a documentation preferred?

  • For a university course, why is this course necessary for the curriculum? When is it taken--as a prerequisite, as an elective?

  • What are learners expected to do/know upon completing the course and why? What would you consider as success or demonstration of meeting course objectives (how would you measure success)?

  • How long should the training/course to be, and is there a preferred delivery and implementation method?​

Data-Gathering Tools

Interviews, surveys, and focus groups can be done online/virtually to save time and costs.

  • Performance analytics or reports from stakeholders (if available)

  • Interviews with key stakeholders

  • A follow-up survey to stakeholders and instructors/facilitators

  • Environmental observations: workplace/classroom of learners engaging with current materials and systems, etc.

  • Focus groups with instructors and learners, separately, with discussion of high-level plan and sample designs (prototypes) based on initial interviews, surveys, and observations

  • Post-course analysis of performance reports, time spent on tasks, and materials engagement

Interview Questionnaire with Key Stakeholders

Questionnaire can be adapted into a follow-up survey as well with larger group of instructors (if applicable).

Goal: When and how long does the course/training need to be?

​Length and Delivery

  • When and how long does the course/training need to be?

  • Will the course/training be delivered online, face-to-face, or a combination? If online, is there a LMS or proprietary system that will be used to deliver the course/training?

Instructors

  • Will there be a facilitator or an instructor?

  • What flexibility (rights) do instructors have in tailoring the course/training based on their teaching methods?

Learners

  • Who are the learners?

  • What are the learners’ backgrounds and level of knowledge for this course area?

  • What previous courses/trainings or documentations did learners have prior to this course/training, or do previous knowledge vary widely?

  • What challenges or obstacles have you observed in learners that require this training or an improved instructional strategy in the course?

  • For previous courses/trainings, what attitudes and behaviors have you noticed in learners in terms of their responses to the materials, assessments, and overall experience?

Assessments and Performance

  • What tasks or assessments must a learner be able to accomplish by the end of the course/training?

  • What metrics or rubrics will help you determine whether or not goals have been met for the course/training?

  • Do you want to monitor learning progress throughout the course or have a report at the end? If the former, are you looking to make adjustments to the course while it is in progress?

  • Are there learning materials or content and assessments currently available, or do they need to be built from scratch?

Final Question: Is there anything else you’d like to add that hasn’t been covered by previous questions and that we need to consider?