Needs Assessments

Needs assessment is a major and primary step in most program planning modes. There are five areas a planner should consider when developing a workshop or program: context, scope, coordinator, standards and ground rules. In considering context, the planner should assess the organization's mission, goal, resources, location subject matter content as well as the participants to be served. When looking at scope, the planner is to take into account the obstacles, incentives, timing, methods, even what data to collect. Coordinator is important because this person is responsible for the needs assessment. Will the person be internal or external? There are a multitude of reasons why an organization may choose an internal person rather than an external person. Will the effort be collaborative or solitary? This information is important as it will be used to validate or negate the need for the program and the data collected should be objective. Therefore, when looking at standards, a planner must ensure that the data received must be accurate, reliable and valid. Lastly, the planner should take into account the ground rules by stating what they will be to conduct a sound assessment and increase cooperation.

Types of Needs Assessments

Surveys (See surveymonkey.com)
Observations
Interviews
Focus groups/forums (30 participants is a good number of participants)
Job and task analysis
Tests
Information from printed materials
Performance and product reviews
Conversations and informal data

Important points to remember when looking at needs assessment:

- Clarify the purpose of the needs assessment.
- Consider various types of needs assessment.
- Involve potential participants in needs of assessment.
- Consider formal needs assessment if program or participants are new.
- Clarify standards and ground rules.
- Recognize indicators of unmet learning needs.
- Include multiple sources to identify common themes.
- Ensure sources are credible so findings will be reliable.
- Use existing data when possible.
- Research or review characteristics of adult learners.