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.