DATA ANALYSIS,

DATA REPORTING,
AND
PRIORITY SETTING
STEP 11: PERFORM DATA ANALYSIS

• The type of data analysis will depend on both the instruments used and the study questions
being answered.
 HOW MUCH DATA SHOULD I COLLECT?
Here are some ways education coordinators gather data for their needs
assessment:
Telephone
• Call or write known stakeholders and asked them a series of questions
• Make cold calls to people recommended by others
Face-to-Face
• Informal dialogues with interested people
• Semi-structured interviews
• Formal, structured interviews
Mail or E-mail
• Mail follow-up surveys to program participants
• Email questions to colleagues
• Email List serves to get additional input
STEP 12: DETERMINE PRIORITIES AND
IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
• Once the data analysis is completed, your team is finally in the position to articulate the results
in terms of needs.
 SORK’S PRIORITY SETTING CRITERIA
Importance Criteria
1. How many individuals are affected by this needs? The greater the number affected,
the greater the importance.
2. If we dealt with need, to what extent would it contribute to organizational goals?
The larger the contribution, the greater the importance.
3. Does the need require immediate attention, or can attention be deferred for a period
of time, with the need tending to resolve itself with the passage of time?
4. How large is the discrepancy between the desired status for an area of concern and
the current level of achievement in regard to it ? The greater the discrepancy, the
greater the importance.
5. To what extent would resolving a need in this particular area have a positive effect
on a need in another area? The more positive the effect, the greater the importance.
FEASIBILITY CRITERIA

1 . The degree to which an educational intervention, particularly an adult education strategy, can
reduce or even eliminate the need .
2 . The extent to which resources are, or could become, available for programs to reduce the need
.
3 . The commitment or willingness of the organization to change .
STEP 13: SYNTHESIZE INFORMATION
AND CREATE A REPORT
• By this stage in the process, the planning team has designed and implemented a significant
endeavor. Coalitions are being build, stakeholders have been brought into the planning process,
data has been collected, priorities have been set, and strategies proposed.
DESIGNING NEEDS-BASED ACTION
• Revisit the most likely solution strategy and compare it to its strongest competitors . Ask the
following key questions:
O What features of the preferred solution strategy are its strongest assets?
O What are some of its less strong and even weak features?
O Were some of the competing strategies stronger in these areas?
O Would it be possible to combine features of solution strategies without compromising the integrity of
the top solution?
O What is the scope of the solution in terms of location within the organization (i .e ., will it reside in
one unit or subsystem, or will it cut across many units)?
O How much time will the solution require – that is, from a relatively short time frame to develop and
implement (less than 6 months) to intermediate and long-range time frames (2-5 years or even longer)?
O What is the scope of the solution in terms of focus – from narrow and fairly easy to implement to
broad and complex to implement?
O Is it possible to divide a large solution strategy into smaller increments for implementation?
SHOULD A CONSULTANT BE HIRED?

• If the team does not include someone with significant educational research and
evaluation experience, it may necessary to hire a consultant.
 HIRING CONSULTANT
• As with most projects, deciding to hire a consultant is only the first step . The following should help
guide the team as you work through the process:
O Define the scope of work . Be as specific as possible . Determine what you want to accomplish and
what aspects of the needs assessment can be conducted by the project team .
O Determine the budget .
O Identify consultants with experience conducting needs assessments and evaluations .
O Interview at least two consultants who seem most qualified . During the interview try to assess:
• Relevance of previous evaluation experience to the specific needs of the project . Has the
consultant worked on similar projects?
• Workload – how likely is the consultant to be able to meet timelines? Will there be other
members of the consulting team? If so, how will they divide the work?
• Work style – Will the consultant work with the project team as a partner, while maintaining
objectivity? Will the consultant customize the needs assessment strategy to the project or merely adapt
an existing one? Is the consultant willing to share his/her expertise with the project team so that the
team learns from the experience?
O Request a written proposal that details process, timeline, responsibilities, and budget .
O Ask the consultant for a recent client list . Select names from this list rather than asking the
consultant to supply two or three names of references . Use references to try to gauge the
consultant’s ability to meet deadlines and to adapt to unforeseen circumstances .
O Select a consultant based on qualifications and “match .”
O Develop a written agreement . Spell out, in writing, expectations, deliverables, timeline, and
budget . Make sure that the contract meets any applicable regulations or policies .
O Be open and willing to change . To design and implement a useful needs assessment or evaluation,
the consultant must understand fully the situation and any problems that the project team is facing .
PART I WRAP-UP

• A needs assessment helps education coordinators understand more fully the gap between what
is and what should be. By conducting a needs assessment before the project is designed,
assumptions integral to the development of the project (e.g., audience characteristics, current
level of knowledge) can be confirmed or negated, avoiding costly missteps. The data gathered
during a needs assessment can also help project designers define goals and objectives, and
identify stakeholders and potential collaborators. This information will be essential as the
project team turns to the next phase of the planning process: project design and
implementation.
THANK YOU