Defining Training Needs Analysis

A training needs analysis is a process to identify where skill gaps exist in your organization. Sometimes it gets called a training needs assessment or a skills gap assessment, or something similar. For example, let’s say that your customer service department is keeping customers waiting far too long, so you install a new software program to help them do their job better. However, instead of answering 100 calls an hour, their volume drops to 75 calls an hour. Customer complaints are also up by one third.

A training needs analysis can give you the tools to identify why a skill gap exists and help you identify ways to bridge it. When that analysis specifically reviews training, then it looks at how training can help address the gap. In this case, it seems like the new system was installed but no training was provided, so people are struggling to navigate the new software program and look after customers at the same time.

No matter what process you use, your training needs analysis will be developed with up-to-date knowledge of the organization’s goals and priorities, as well as knowledge about the needs, skills, and circumstances that the training will address.

Therefore, before you start designing your training program, you need to consider how the program will fit into the organization’s overall plan, how it can grow with the company, what role it will play in the organization, and what support it may receive.