Needs Assessment

¶ … Bowers-Lanier (2012), argues that carrying out a needs assessment is vital in determining the priority a team should give in problem solving (p.20). In this case, a needs assessment enable an individual or group to determine the extent of a problem before developing measures for dealing with it. Lane & Bundy (2011), concur with Bowers-Lainer by stating that a needs assessment is essential in identifying a problem before developing solutions.

They state that a needs assessment is a process that entails conducting a literature review and understanding the probable needs or problems before discussing solutions with the client. The process focuses on identifying unmet services, supports, and opportunities to enhance performance (Lane & Bundy, 2011, p.300). Coverstone (n.d.), states that a need assessment is a process carried out before an activity is designed and implemented.

Needs assessment can be defined as a systematic procedure that progresses through several identified steps and focuses on outcomes or goals to be accomplished instead of processes or means for achieving those goals or outcomes ("Comprehensive Needs Assessment," 2001). The needs assessment procedure collects data through various methods and steps that are developed to accomplish specific purposes. McCawley (n.d.), defines a needs assessment as a methodical approach to examine the state of interest, ability, knowledge or attitude of specific individual or audience involving a certain subject (p.3).

Berkowitz & Nagy (n.d.), agree with this definition by stating that a needs assessment usually focuses on needs that relate to a specific group or community. This implies that while the process of needs assessment involves a systematic approach at examining an issue or problem, the issue or problem depends on the composition and nature of the specific individual, group or community under evaluation.

There are various needs assessment techniques and tools depending on the specific subject and interest group such as existing data approach, community forum, attitude survey approach, and focus group interview ("Needs Assessment Strategies," n.d.). Given the differences in the tools and techniques, the process of conducting a needs assessment is also different. One of the models that can be used in conducting a needs assessment is a three-phase model that incorporates exploration of the problem or issue, collection and analysis of data, and decision making ("Needs Assessments," n.d.).

Steege, Marra & Jones (2012) suggests that there are several models that can be utilized in a needs assessment, which vary based on organizational elements like inputs, products, and outputs (p.32). The existence of these various tools, techniques, and models has been considered as the major factors that contribute to confusion in the process. Watkins et al. (1998), argue that a needs assessment is characterized by unrealistic expectations because of the lack of a precise definition of the concept and the existence of various.