Training Needs Assessment:

A Systematic Approach
“Remember, training is not
what is ultimately
important… performance is.”
Marc Rosenberg
Needs Assessment Definition

A needs assessment is the process of

identifying performance requirements.
 The "gap" between what performance is
required and what presently exists.
TNA is done to find …..

What kind of training that are needed?

Who needs them?
Where they are needed?
Which methods will best deliver the
needed skill, knowledge, attitude to the
workers?
 Did you know...

“Not more than 6-10 % of

expenditures in training actually
result in transfer to the job.”
Broad and Newstrom
Define the problem

DESIRED PERFORMANCE (Optimals)

- ACTUAL PERFORMANCE (Actuals)

= POSSIBLE TRAINING NEED

Analyze

 What is the problem?  Problem Analysis

 Is it a training problem?  Performance Analysis

 What skills and

knowledge should be  Task/Competency
included in the training Analysis
program

 Who needs to be  Learner Analysis

trained?
Types of TNA

Organisation analysis
Task analysis
Person analysis
Organisation analysis

Examination of the business environment

Strategies of the organisation
Data sources used in
Organisation Analysis
Organisation goals and objectives
Personnel inventories
Skills Inventories
Organisational climate indexes
Changes in systems & sub systems
Management request
Exit Interviews
Management by Objectives or work
planning systems
Steps in Task Analysis
 Break job into major
functions

 Break functions into

major tasks

 Break tasks into steps

 Identify training
outcomes
Task Analysis Interviews

 Managers

 Best performers

 Job incumbents

 Subject matter experts

Data sources used in Task
Analysis
 Job Descriptions
 Asking questions about
the job
 Job Specifications

 Training Committees
 Performance Standards

 Analysis of operating
 Work Sampling
problems

 Reviewing literature on
the job
Person analysis

Determining……

Which employees require training

Which employees do not require training

Data sources used in
Person Analysis

Performance Tests
appraisal data
Attitude Surveys
Work Sampling
Training Progress
Interviews
Critical Incident
Questionnaires
Instructional Design
Process

ANALYZE DESIGN

DEVELOP IMPLEMENT

EVALUATE
If a skill deficiency..

Provide training
Provide practice
Provide feedback
Simplify the task
Develop a job aid
OJT
Transfer
Terminate
 P. 39

Cause Solution
If skill or knowledge……….training
If lack feedback……………..feedback, standards
If not motivated…………….rewards, consequences
If unclear expectations…..std, measure, discuss
If job environment…………change environment
If potential……………………change personnel
“If you think training
is expensive,try
ignorance.”
Thank
You!