Needs Analysis: Definition, Importance & Implementation

What is needs analysis?

Needs analysis definition involves the process of identification and evaluation of needs. It is the first step that should be taken in order to successfully develop an effective training program (Bleich, 2018). It is a vital process that helps businesses determine the specific training and training period they need to provide their employees for them to become productive and efficient (Morrison, 2020).

Needs assessment vs. needs analysis vs. training needs analysis

Needs analysis and needs assessment are often used interchangeably, but instead of being synonymous terminologies, they play different but related roles in the process of identifying performance issues and/or opportunities and analyzing if training is necessary to address them or not (Christensen, 2018). Christensen further explains that needs assessment, needs analysis, and training needs analysis refer to key steps in the process of determining “value-added solution” to a performance problem. These steps, however, can be tricky when terms are “misunderstood and used incorrectly” as the process offers a systematic approach, which involves a proper transition between steps in order to achieve positive results.
Christensen (2016) also developed a concept map that reveals the roles of needs assessment and analysis in the process of identifying problems and/or opportunities begins by conducting a needs assessment, which employs needs analysis in the process to identify skills or knowledge gaps. By conducting a needs assessment, an organization will be able to figure out which performance problem or opportunity needs training intervention and which does not. If there are issues that are recommended for training intervention, the next step will be to conduct a training needs analysis to figure out what type of training should be provided.
Additionally, the term “training needs analysis” refers to the process of gathering and analyzing to determine the training needs an organization has to provide to its employees (Reed & Vakola, 2006). Carlisle et al. (2011, p. 688) define training needs analysis as a “methodological investigation and analysis into an organization’s current and desired performance levels, focusing heavily on the ability of its staff and their support networks.”