Need Assessment

Session 5
Chap 4
 Needs Assessment
• A process by which an organization’s HRD needs are
identified and articulated
• An organization’s goals and its effectiveness in reaching
these goals
• Discrepancies or gaps between employees’ skills and
the skills required for effective current job performance
• Discrepancies (gaps) between current skills and the
skills needed to perform the job successfully in the
future
• The conditions under which the HRD activity will occur
 Needs Assessment
• When it is not conducted:
– A needs assessment can be a difficult, time-
consuming process
– Action is valued over research
– Incorrect assumptions are made that a needs
assessment is unnecessary because available
information already specifies what an
organization’s needs are.
– There is a lack of support for needs assessment
What is a Training or Development ‘Need’

• Gap
• Diagnostic needs
– Focus is on the factors that lead to effective
performance
• Analytic needs
– Identify new or better ways to perform tasks
• Compliance needs
– Mandated by law
 Levels of Needs Analysis
• Strategic/organizational analysis
• Task Analysis
• Person analysis