Needs Assessment - Additional Resources

Additional Resources

Watkins, et al. conducted a comparison of the major needs assessment models based on the level of organizational planning each addressed and the direction of linkages between the levels of planning. The following reflect the models included in that analysis, with a few new additions:

• Altschuld (2010) - The Needs Assessment Kit outlines a three-phase generic needs assessment model, consisting of Phase I (what's known, getting organized and determining priorities), Phase II (collection of new data), Phase III (designing, implementing, and evaluating solution.

• Burton & Merrill (1991) - Explores developing effective instructional educational material. Four basic elements include: identifying a broad range of potential goals, prioritize goals, identify discrepancies between expected and actual performance, and prioritize actions.

• Gilbert (1978)

• Gordon (1994)

• Hannum & Hansen (1989) - - Outline a general steps for a needs assessment to create a training program. Hannum and Hansen suggest identifying the purpose, sample data, and expected impact for each of the following steps: organizational environment, baseline performance data (what's the expected and actual level, target audience, training policy.

• Kaufman (1992, 1998)

• Mager & Pipe (1997)

• Murk & Wells (1988)

• Nelson et al. (1995)

• Ostroff & Ford (1989)

• Robinson & Robinson (1995) - Applies a performance perspective to needs assessments. The model includes developing a performance relationship map and identifying operational business needs.

• Rossett (1987) - A guide to conducting a training needs assessment using various data collection methods, analysis of findings, and implementation.

• Rothwell & Kazanas (1992) - Applies typical needs assessment steps to identifying human performance problems, including clarifying objectives, target audience, sampling procedures, data collection methods, instruments and protocols, data analysis methods, and description of action plan based on data found.

• Rummler & Brache (1990)

• Shafloot (2010)

• Witkin & Altschuld (1995) - A three-phase model for conducting a needs assessment to fit a variety of situations.