Running head: NEEDS OR GAP ANALYSIS

Needs or Gap Analysis

Susan Lance
AET/570
November 9, 2015
Charity Jennings

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Needs or Gap Analysis

A Health Coach fills the gaps that dietitians and doctors do not have the time or resources to
accomplish (Haskins, 2015).
Gap Analysis
In the following three months, the Wellness Center will conduct a gap analysis on 20 dietitians
who will be considered for the Healthy Coach workshop. The program planner and evaluator
will conduct a gap analysis, and gather data from interviews, questionnaires, and performance
reviews. These tools will render the data that will enable analysts to decode/recognize similar
patterns/words, evaluate information and assess the participants current state of mind as to what
the persons knowledge and perception are about health coaching.
Gap analysis-Three months/planning/design tools/assessments
The current state-What does the dietitian know?
The desired state-What does the dietitian need to know?
Purpose-To to train employees on the best practices (identify) to bridge the gap between what
the dietitian is doing and what the dietitian should be doing (Jammetti, 2012). The analyst will
diagnosis the discrepancies (weaknesses) between the current state and desired state of the
participant. The evaluator and program planner will judge what changes or steps/objectives are
needed to satisfy organizational goals, and for dietitians to reach competency levels to be
certified. The current and future situation will be explained to key stakeholders using metrics
that are quantified, such as the cost of the workshop. The program planner shall use qualitative
information such as statements including employees current inability to sustain their clients
motivation to have optimal results. Statements must also be used that represent the dietitians
future state by using positive perspectives, or their reactions to the benefits of becoming mentors

NEEDS OR GAP ANALYSIS

and the opportunities that will come from working with the client for the long-haul (Mind Tools,
n.d.).
The following elements will be taken into consideration in designing tools for a gap analysis.
Review individual needs for training:
1. Audience population (learning needs)
What majority of trainees are English Language Learners (ELL)
Special needs (disabilities)
Millennials/Gen X/Gen Y/Traditional
2. Certificate Requirements-Analyze what the dietitian needs to know to be certified
(targeted needs)
Tools for gap/needs analysis (Cafferella, 2013)
Performance review-Review dietitians performance at the Wellness Center for
the current year. Observe performance with clients and write assessment using
performance evaluation sheet/review evaluation sheet for the past year. The
performance evaluation will determine the skill set of the dietitian before starting
the workshop.
Interviews-In-depth 20 open-ended questions to identify what the dietitian knows,
the level of existing knowledge about holistic healing, and weaknesses. Questions
on preference or personal learning styles. The dietitians attitude will be evaluated
as to their beliefs in the integration of holistic approaches and mentoring. The
center will make the decision as to the employees who have the correct mindset,
motivation, and knowledge to be candidates for training.

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Questionnaires-What does the dietitian know about the integration of an overall

wellness approach to healing. A thirty question closed format survey. Why do
participants need to learn about coaching? What are the targeted needs to
becoming a coach? What do learners want to accomplish in becoming a coach?
An expert will decode, analyze, and interpret the meaning of data.
Selected employees will be trained in holistic therapy to improve the relationship
between the dietitian and client at the Wellness Center. A gap analysis has been conducted, and
the information has concluded that a new program is necessary for dietitians to gain the
knowledge needed to become certified health coaches. The results of the gap analysis have
determined the forecasted time, resources, material and overall content that the program will
cover.
Although registered dietitians have the competency in all areas of nutrition, it has been
determined through the conducted interviews, questionnaires, and performance evaluations that
all twenty participants lack the knowledge and skills needed to provide holistic therapy.
In the data collected from the interview process, 15 out of the 20 participants are not
familiar with the framework of the modern complexity theory. The theory is the foundation on
which the health coach basis his or her perspective of whole systems healing, and modern
societies complex problems. Based on this theory of healing, the coach attempts to solve the
clients problems considering all levels of a system: societal, individual, and environmental, a
whole system context. The things that affect the whole system of mind, body, and spirit, are
poverty, pollution, and social justice, which will all be analyzed with the client. The dietitian is
the mentor, who helps the patient take a new approach to his or her overall wellbeing. Together
they design an action plan that encompasses the holistic and traditional approach to healing.

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The performance evaluation sheets have been examined by the managers and program
planner, and all 20 candidates have performed at high overall levels in the company for the past
year. Each dietitian had for ratings based on four evaluations that the scores per performance
were marked on the sheet. Performance sheet ratings ranged from a 90 to 98% in a scale of low
being one and high being 100. It has been decided by management that time off for training will
not hurt employee performance in the company, but increase knowledge and skills needed to be
promoted.
The Questioners data has been analyzed, and a report on the information has been
presented to upper management (Cafferella, 2013). As has been fore mentioned, candidates lack
the knowledge in holistic care; thus will benefit from training. The scores indicate candidates are
in agreement on the need to incorporate a new integrative approach that focuses on the whole
system healing to improve the lifestyle of their patients. They presently lack the lifestyle
coaching techniques that help clients make the small steps at a comfortable pace to sustain longterm success.
The gap/needs analysis has provided the data and information needed to make an
informed decision on the extent of training needed for the selected candidates. It is apparent to
the designing team that through training the Wellness Center can offer their clients a wellrounded service that promotes their overall health. Trainees are efficient in the field of nutrition
but must be educated in mentoring, and wellness. The workshop will teach learners what tools
are needed to be effective leaders, and how to utilize these tools. Trainees will learn how these
tools can be systematically applied and adjusted to meet the criteria of an array of circumstances.
Certified coaches will give clients not only nutritional advice, but support, motivation and

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guidance to lead their clients in the right direction and to modify their behavior, and achieve their
health goals.

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References

Cafferella, R. (2013). Planning programs for adult learners: A practice guide (3rd ed.). New
York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Haskins, S. (2015, February 4). Whats a health coach? Retrieved from
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2015/02/04/whats-a-health-coach
Jammetti, A. J. (2012). A guide to performing a needs assessment and a gap analysis. Retrieved
from https://www.suna.org/events/needsAssessment.pdf
Mind Tools. (n.d.). Gap analysis: Identifying what needs to be done in a project. Retrieved from
http://www.mccd.edu/organizations/student/Gap%20Analysis.pdf