Needs Analysis Document <Project Name>, Version # Written by: Dianne Blake, Consultant http://dianneblake.com [email protected] This is a sample document. It includes just a few of the questions that should be asked to perform a needs analysis. This is a job aid / template for team members. Note: In most cases, additional documentation such as spreadsheets and flow or process diagrams may be required at the Analysis phase of the project. All rights reserved, ©2012, Dianne Blake, Consultant Table of Contents Baseline Requirements ................................................................................................................................. 1 General .................................................................................................................................................... 1 Resources ................................................................................................................................................. 2 System Applications Training ................................................................................................................... 2 Audience Analysis Questionnaire ................................................................................................................. 3 General .................................................................................................................................................... 3 Perception of Training ............................................................................................................................. 3 Learning Preferences ............................................................................................................................... 3 <Project Name> Needs Analysis Document Page i <Project Name> Needs Analysis The questions in this document are used to determine the training needs for a specific project. During the needs analysis, the Instructional Designer will consult with the Subject Matter Experts, Team Leads, Project Leads and any other personnel who can provide informed and detailed information. Once the needs analysis is completed, this document is used to create an Project Design Document. The questions in this document are the starting point. Informed personnel and the Instructional Designer may find additional topics and questions of interest during the needs analysis. All additional questions and findings should be documented here. Baseline Requirements The questions in this section attempt to identify the training needs, the resources that are available to support the training effort and a few additional questions as they pertain to systems training. General These questions focus on identifying the general training needs of the project. Questions Findings and Comments What is the reason for this training? Is it an organizational issue? Is this a one-time or on-going training need? What content areas will be covered by the training? What is the scope of the training effort? When do you need the training delivered? How many users need to take this training? Is there a preferred training delivery method? Will job aids be enough or is formal training the answer? Are there any constraints on the medium used to deliver the training (i.e., limited access to computers, etc.)? Is this a quality process that requires additional process procedures and assessment? <Project Name> Needs Analysis Document Page 1 Resources These questions help to identify the resources available to the training team during the Analysis, Design, Development, and Implementation phases of the training project. Questions Findings and Comments How much availability and support can the SME provide? Is there a back-up person if the SME is unavailable? If there are multiple functional areas to be trained, are there individual SMEs for each functional area? Are there other key players who need to have input and/or signoff of the training? Are there any existing materials to help us determine content/scope/curriculum of the training? System Applications Training These questions are specific to system applications training. These are significant in that organizations such as Information Technology, Corporate Communications, and others are involved in the process. This makes the task more complex. If this is a new implementation, there may be additional challenges with system changes during the Development phase. Questions Findings and Comments Is this training related to a new implementation of an application or an existing application that is up and running? If it is a new implementation, what is the conversion date? If it is a new implementation, at what stage is the application in the implementation process? How do we get access to the system? Is there a training environment or sandbox set up in the system? How do we get data set up in the system for screen captures and/or realistic training scenarios? <Project Name> Needs Analysis Document Page 2 Audience Analysis Questionnaire The questions in this section are fairly generic. Additional documentation, such as spreadsheets may be required to cross-analyze the organizations, roles, security access, training availability, on-the-job training, etc. This set of questions is the starting point. Any additional questions should be documented here to ensure that the learning needs are met. General This set of questions focuses on who is to be trained and any special needs that the learners might have. Questions Findings and Comments How many different roles (jobs) are to be trained? How many individuals in each role are to be trained? What is the educational background of the learners? What is the cultural make-up of learners? How ESL learners are there? How are learners geographically dispersed? Are there any corporate cultural issues that need to be overcome? Perception of Training This set of questions focuses on the acceptance and/or difficulty there will be with learners taking the training. Questions Findings and Comments Will training interrupt other daily activities? Will training be reinforced on the job? Is training content related to professional goals? What is the perception of the content to be trained? Learning Preferences This set of questions focuses on the types of training solutions that should be employed. Questions Findings and Comments Do learners have a preference for learning delivery method? Have learners taken WBT, ILT and OJT training courses before? Are learners self-motivated or do they require structure? <Project Name> Needs Analysis Document Page 3