When you conduct a training needs analysis, you can use any or all of the five primary data collection methods:

• Interviews
• Focus group discussions
• Surveys and questionnaires
• Document and statistical analysis
• Observation

To get the information you need, you might be able to select a “vertical slice” of the organization (top management, middle managers, and front line workers), or a representative sampling (full-time, part-time, and casual employees). Or, you might interview everyone. You might also use a blended kind of approach, which might involve interviews for top management, focus groups for middle management, and questionnaires for front line workers.

As you consider your questions and your approach to data collection, make sure you use words that your participants will be familiar with, and stay away from your own training-related jargon. You’ll build better rapport and have a higher level of credibility with everyone.