NEEDS ANALYSIS
By Tami Lenker
THIS IS WILL. HIS MOTHER THINKS HE
HAS A NEED.
HIS NEED IS TO LEARN TO TIE HIS SHOES.
LET’S CONDUCT A NEEDS ANALYSIS…
1. WHAT PROBLEM EXISTS OR WHAT
CHANGE IS BEING REQUESTED?
Will’s mother wants Will to
learn to tie his own shoes.
WHO IS BEING ASKED TO CHANGE?
Will.
WHAT IS CURRENTLY TAKING PLACE IN THIS
ENVIRONMENT WITH THIS INDIVIDUAL?
To answer this question an
instructional designer needs
to gather specific information
through interviews and
observations.
LET’S INTERVIEW WILL. . .
What are your
favorite shoes?
“What are your
favorite shoes?”
“My Velcro shoes.”
“Why?”
“Because they are
comfortable.”
“Why don’t you like
your lace up shoes?’
“Because they
make my feet
sweaty.”
LET’S OBSERVE WILL. . .
OBSERVE WILL ATTEMPTING TO TIE HIS
SHOES.
WILL REFUSES TO TIE HIS SHOES.
OBSERVATIONS:
1. 1. Will does not seem to like his lace up shoes.
2. 2. Will does not seem to know how to tie his
shoes.
3. 3. Will refuses to continue trying to tie his
shoes.
IS INSTRUCTION THE MOST APPROPRIATE MEANS FOR
BRINGING ABOUT CHANGE? ANALYZE DATA.
There does seem to be a skill deficiency. Will
does not seem to know how to tie his shoes.
There seem to be other obstacles as well. Will
does not like his lace up shoes. They are
uncomfortable.
Will has more rewarding options. His Velcro
shoes are easy to put on and they feel good.
THE GAP
Instructional designers
know that needs are a gap
between where they need
to be and where they are.
*Purchase new lace up shoes for Will.
*Perhaps he should pick them out himself.
*Shoes should fit comfortably.
*After a formative evaluation, an instructional
designer may then find that the problem is solved
without any instruction needed.
*Or, instruction may need to occur with the new
shoes, but hopefully Will’s attitude will be better.
*An instructional designer may recommend
removing barriers (such as undesirable shoes)
prior to instruction.
Summative Report Recommendations
1. Plan for data
collection.
2. Collect data from
target.
3. Analyze data.
4. Prepare
summative report.
Steps for needs assessment.