Needs Assessment Basics

Common Errors in Needs Assessment

It would not be right to leave you without a warning about the mistakes you can make in training needs assessment. Following are the most common errors that occur:

• Insufficient data collection or analysis: It could happen that you choose not to conduct a thorough needs assessment or are pressured to cut short these steps by a client. Make it clear at the outset what will be involved in doing a proper needs assessment and get buy-in from your client.

• Treating presenting problems only: It’s an error to assume that the client’s only issues are the issues that he or she presented and then jump on the bandwagon to resolve those issues. Most of the time, the client’s presenting problem is accurate, but it is simply ...