Here are some sample questions that can be adapted for frontline workers, middle management, and executive team members.

• What are the key goals and targets for your group in the next six to twelve months?
• What are the challenges/barriers that you face in meeting these goals?
• Describe the type of person who can contribute the most in meeting these goals.
• Think of your own knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA’s). Do you have what you need to meet these goals?
• What are your weaknesses for meeting these goals?
• What additional KSA’s would help you to be successful?
• When someone new starts working in your area, what information and training would be most helpful to them?
• Beyond training, what else could be done to help you and your fellow team members to be successful?
• Identify training needs that will assist employees in developing KSA’s to perform better and meet goals more effectively.
• Is there anything you would like to add about your own personal training needs, or that you think would be important for us to consider?

Note that as you progress higher up the organization, the time frames get longer: frontline staff can usually consider the next six to twelve months based on what they know about their job. Middle management looks 12-24 months ahead, and the executive team looks up to five years ahead through strategic planning.