One of my favorite training topics is that of the Training Needs Assessment. It amazes me how many training organizations, and corporations are guilty as well, don’t take the time to determine what needs to be trained. Conducting a Training Needs Assessment (or Analysis) is one of the most critical steps in the entire training cycle.
Without data telling us who our primary, secondary, and tertiary audiences are … and without input from the varying people, teams, and organizations that will impact the training content or the training outcome … it is literally impossible to deliver world-class training. If you are willing to settle for less than that, this podcast series is not for you.
The Training Needs Assessment sets in motion the opportunity for training to be uber-successful. Take the time to determine your target population, all the influences on training, and write questions that can help you determine what the training REALLY needs to cover, for whom, when, and what the priority for this training is.
Now go get answers!
Next topic: Evaluations
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31. October 2007 at 00:34
Listening to the Training Need Assessment podcast was very informative. I liked the way kevinmhuff explained the systematic and Learner-Centered approach. I feel more comfortable with this chapter after listening to the podcast. Oh, and the point that was made about level 1,2,& 3 evaluations was very helpful.
Janice
1. November 2007 at 01:14
I enjoyed listening to the training needs assessment podcast. It helped me understand the differences in the types of assessments and approaches to them. I will really be able to use these podcast as a learning and review tool for not only everyday class, but as a help for studying for the mid-term and final exams.
16. December 2007 at 22:52
Finding out what training needs to be done and for what group of people it should be administer to is very important in business, mfg, or many many other groups. The way kevinmhuff explained the Training Needs Assessment is a good way to ensure that you are focusing on the right groups for the right reasons. There is no need to waste time on training someone in proper mfg line set up if they are working in the warehouse.
17. January 2008 at 19:40
It is truly ashame that corporate america does not take the time to find out what the needs are to maintain their “good” employees. It is even more frustrating when employees have to attend training courses that absolutely does not pretain or relate to their job responsibilities. It is a waste of organizational time as well as employees’ productivity.
I am finding it hard to design a training needs assessment. The questions that I come up with does not produce the right answers, so I throw them out only to begin again. The podcast was very informative and it helped me to formulate a plan to create the assessment for our assignment. Thank you for the simplified and clearer version of this chapter.
18. January 2008 at 10:54
It was interesting to have this process explained “live” instead of just reading about it. However, although I understand what the needs assessment training is and why it should be conducted and so forth, I’m still quite confused as to how to go about doing it. The assignment this week has got me stumped! I’m hoping that by re-reading the info about the template, I’ll be able to do the assignment with some sort of success.
17. February 2008 at 23:52
I was also very confused by the template assignment, but I just thought what would work as questions (topics)and then moved on from there after I read over the template diagram in the book it made it a little less confusing.
HeatherMcCu
21. February 2008 at 22:25
Needs assments sounded so complex. This really cleared some things up for me. You would think that comming up with the goal fo the needs assement would be simple but when you actually do it is very complex and confusing.
Nate
5. March 2008 at 12:26
Having the needs assessment explained a little more in depth helped me understand how to conduct one. WHen the book talked about the bulls-eye I was really confused. Now I know that in the center of the bulls-eye (or #1 on my list) is the learner. Then for each ring you go with the next most important and so fourth. It really helped me understand better how the whole process works.
24. March 2008 at 17:48
I liked the podcasts about needs assessment it really showed me alot of things that I need to do. I thought it was just alot of stupid stuff until I really listened and learned alot.