Needs Assessment Basics

Steps in Training Needs Assessment

The seven steps in training needs assessment are depicted in figure 1-2 and described in some detail in the following sections.

Figure 1-2. The training needs assessment process.

[View full size image]

Step 1. External and Internal Organizational Scan

Training professionals spend a significant amount of time scanning the internal and external environment, gathering information from many sources: newspapers, current events, annual reports, financial statements, customer service data, strategic plans, benchmarking, and the break room, to name a few.

Step 2. Collect Data to Identify Business Needs

From the scanning ...