STEP 1: ESTABLISHING A NEEDS ANALYSIS. This step identifies activities to justify an investment for training. The techniques necessary for the data collection are surveys, observations, interviews, and customer comment cards. Several examples of an analysis outlining specific training needs are customer dissatisfaction, low morale, low productivity, and high turnover.
The objective in establishing a needs analysis is to find out the answers to the following questions:
- “Why” is training needed? -
“What” type of training is needed?
- “When” is the training needed?
- “Where” is the training needed?
- “Who” needs the training? and "Who" will conduct the training? -
“How” will the training be performed?
By determining training needs, an organization can decide what specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes are needed to improve the employee’s performance in accordance with the company’s standards.
The needs analysis is the starting point for all training. The primary objective of all training is to improve individual and organizational performance. Establishing a needs analysis is, and should always be the first step of the training process.