Needs Assessment Basics

Defining Key Terms

Before beginning an in-depth examination of training needs assessment, two terms that are used throughout this book must be defined: needs assessor and client.

A needs assessor may be a training, human resource development (HRD), or human resources (HR) staff member of an organization who is responsible for the design and delivery of training interventions and is, therefore, responsible for training needs assessment. Alternatively, a needs assessor may be an external training, HRD, or HR professional who works with client organizations to design and deliver training. Anyone reading this book is probably a needs assessor—or will be! In this book, the term “needs assessor” is used when referring to the individual in his or her ...