hr-guide.

com
•
• • •

Needs Analysis: How to determine training

needs
Chapter Highlights

1. Types of Needs Analyses

2. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
3. Techniques
4. Checklist for evaluating an assessment

Introduction
Training Needs Analysis: The process of
Today's work environment identifying training needs in an organization
requires employees to be skilled for the purpose of improving employee job
in performing complex tasks in performance.
an efficient, cost-effective, and
safe manner. Training (a
performance improvement tool) is needed when employees are not performing up to a certain
standard or at an expected level of performance. The difference between actual the actual level
of job performance and the expected level of job performance indicates a need for training. The
identification of training needs is the first step in a uniform method of instructional design.

A successful training needs analysis will identify those who need training and what kind of
training is needed. It is counter-productive to offer training to individuals who do not need it or
to offer the wrong kind of training. A Training Needs Analysis helps to put the training resources
to good use.

Types of Needs Analyses

Many needs assessments are available for use in different employment contexts. Sources that
can help you determine which needs analysis is appropriate for your situation are described
below.

Organizational Analysis. An analysis of the business needs or other reasons the training
is desired. An analysis of the organization's strategies, goals, and objectives. What is the
organization overall trying to accomplish? The important questions being answered by this
analysis are who decided that training should be conducted, why a training program is
seen as the recommended solution to a business problem, what the history of the
organization has been with regard to employee training and other management
interventions.
Person Analysis. Analysis dealing with potential participants and instructors involved in
the process. The important questions being answered by this analysis are who will receive
the training and their level of existing knowledge on the subject, what is their learning
style, and who will conduct the training. Do the employees have required skills? Are there
changes to policies, procedures, software, or equipment that require or necessitate
 training?
Work analysis / Task Analysis. Analysis of the tasks being performed. This is an
analysis of the job and the requirements for performing the work. Also known as a task
analysis or job analysis, this analysis seeks to specify the main duties and skill level
required. This helps ensure that the training which is developed will include relevant links
to the content of the job.
Performance Analysis. Are the employees performing up to the established standard? If
performance is below expectations, can training help to improve this performance? Is
there a Performance Gap?
Content Analysis. Analysis of documents, laws, procedures used on the job. This
analysis answers questions about what knowledge or information is used on this job. This
information comes from manuals, documents, or regulations. It is important that the
content of the training does not conflict or contradict job requirements. An experienced
worker can assist (as a subject matter expert) in determining the appropriate content.
Training Suitability Analysis. Analysis of whether training is the desired solution.
Training is one of several solutions to employment problems. However, it may not always
be the best solution. It is important to determine if training will be effective in its usage.
Cost-Benefit Analysis. Analysis of the return on investment (ROI) of training. Effective
training results in a return of value to the organization that is greater than the initial
investment to produce or administer the training.

Knowledge, Skills,
Principle of Assessment: Use assessment
and Abilities instruments for which understandable and
comprehensive documentation is available.
Today's workplace often requires
employees to be independent
thinkers responsible for making good decisions based on limited information. This kind of work
may require training if the employee does not have these skills. Below is a list of various
competencies that employees may be required to posess in order to perform their jobs well.

Adaptability
Analytical Skills
Action Orientation
Business Knowledge/Acumen
Coaching/Employee Development
Communication
Customer Focus
Decision Making
Fiscal Management
Global Perspective
Innovation
Interpersonal Skills
Leadership
Establishing Objectives
Risk Management
Persuasion and Influence
Planning
Problem Solving
Project Management
Results Orientation
Self-Management
Teamwork
Technology

Are any of these KSA's required before the employee is hired? Are the required KSA's included
in any job postings or advertisements? Do they need to be?

Techniques
Several basic Needs Assessment techniques include:

direct observation
questionnaires
consultation with persons in key positions, and/or with specific knowledge
review of relevant literature
interviews
focus groups
assessments/surveys
records & report studies
work samples

Conducting an Organizational Analyses

Determine what resources are available for training. What are the mission and goals of the
organization in regards to employee development? What support will te senior management and
managers give toward training? Is the organization supportive and on-board with this process?
Are there adequate resources (financial and personnel)?

Conducting a Work / Task Analysis

Interview subject matter experts (SME's) and high performing employees. Interview the
supervisors and managers in charge. Review job descriptions and occupational information.
Develop an understanding of what employees need to know in order to perform their jobs.

Important questions to ask when conducting a Task Analysis:

1. What tasks are performed?

2. How frequently are they performed?
3. How important is each task?
4. What knowledge is needed to perform the task?
5. How difficult is each task?
6. What kinds of training are available?

Observe the employee performing the job. Document the tasks being performed. When
documenting the tasks, make sure each task starts with an action verb. How does this task
analysis compare to existing job descriptions? Did the task analysis miss any important parts of
the job description? Were there tasks performed that were omitted from the job description?

Organize the identified tasks. Develop a sequence of tasks. Or list the tasks by importance.

Are there differences between high and low performing employees on specific work tasks? Are
there differences between Experts and Novices? Would providing training on those tasks
improve employee job performance?

Most employees are required to make decisions based on information. How is information
gathered by the employee? What does the employee do with the information? Can this process
be trained? Or, can training improve this process?

Cognitive Task Analysis

Develop a model of the task. Show where the decision points are located and what information
is needed to make decisions and actions are taken based on that information. This model should
be a schematic or graphic representation of the task. This model is developed by observing and
interviewing the employees. The objective is to develop a model that can be used to guide the
development of training programs and curriculum.

Since the training is based on specific job tasks, employees may feel more comfortable taking
the effort to participate in training.

Gather information about how the task is performed so that this can be used to form a model of
the task. Review job titles and descriptions to get an idea of the tasks performed. Observe the
employee performing the job. Review existing training related to the job. Make sure you observe
both experts and novices for comparison.

Critical Incident Analysis

Critical Incident Interview Guide.

Conducting a Performance Analysis

This technique is used to identify which employees need the training. Review performance
appraisals. Interview managers and supervisors. Look for performance measures such as
benchmarks and goals.

Sources of performance data:

1. Performance Appraisals
2. Quotas met (un-met)
3. Performance Measures
4. Turnover
5. Shrinkage
6. Leakage
7. Spoilage
8. Losses
9. Accidents
10. Safety Incidents
11. Grievances
12. Absenteeism
13. Units per Day
14. Units per Week
15. Returns
16. Customer Complaints

Are there differences between high and low performing employees on specific competencies?
Would providing training on those competencies improve employee job performance?

Checklist for Training Needs Analysis

It is helpful to have an organized method for choosing the right assessment for your needs. A
checklist can help you in this process. Your checklist should summarize the kinds of information
discussed above. For example, is the assessment valid for your intended purpose? Is it reliable
and fair? Is it cost-effective? Is the instrument likely to be viewed as fair and valid by the
participants? Also consider the ease or difficulty of administration, scoring, and interpretation
given available resources. Click here for a sample checklist that you may find useful. Completing
a checklist for each test you are considering will assist you in comparing them more easily.