What is needs analysis?

First , let’s define a “need”.  A need is a gap between required performance and current performance.  A need can result from two different things:

1) a Deficiency:  lack of required skills, knowledge, and abilities

2) a Discrepancy:  a gap between what you can do and what you normally do.

If your need reflects a deficiency, then training is usually an appropriate remedy.  

But if it reflects a discrepancy, then training is not necessarily appropriate (because clients already know what to do--- something’s just preventing them from doing it!).