OVERVIEW STARTING THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS *PURPOSE *DATA COLLECTION *USE OF RESULTS *ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION FINAL THOUGHTS

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2 OVERVIEW WHAT IS A NEEDS ASSESSMENT *CONSIDERATIONS DEFINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT WHAT IS INVOLVED IN A NEEDS ASSESSMENT BENEFITS OF A NEEDS ASSESSMENT STARTING THE NEEDS ASSESSMENT PROCESS *PURPOSE *DATA COLLECTION *USE OF RESULTS *ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION FINAL THOUGHTS

3 What is a Needs Assessment?

4 First Point to Consider Know What Your Organization s Strategic Goals Are.

5 Second Point to Consider Gupta (2007) concludes that organizations must compare the current condition to the desired condition (p. 14).

6 Third Point to Consider As oppose to establishing what you want, define what you need

7 Fourth Point to Consider Look at and Focus on Problems as Opportunities

8 Fifth Point to Consider Whose needs will the project address?

9 Sixth Point to Consider What kind of needs will the project address?

10 RESPONDING TO CONSIDERATIONS #5 AND 6 Whose needs will the project address? ADULT STUDENTS WHY? ADULT STUDENTS NEED TO COMPLETE THEIR DEGREE FAST What kind of needs will the project address? INCREASED RECRUITMENT OF ADULT STUDENTS ESTABLISHING THE 3 P S: PROVIDING PROGRAMS THAT WILL ACCELERATE DEGREE COMPLETION PROCESSES POLICIES PROCEDURES

11 DEFINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT Needs assessment is a diagnostic process that relies on data collection, collaboration and negotiation to identify and understand gaps in learning and performance and to determine future actions (Gupta, 2007, p. 15).

12 Defining Needs Assessment A needs assessment frames the problems or opportunities of interest and build relationships among the people and groups who have a stake in the issue (Gupta, 2007, p. 20).

13 What Does A Needs Assessment Involve? Determining what the important needs are and how to address them (Gupta, 2007,p. 14). Creating or taking advantage of a future opportunity (Gupta, 2007, p.14).

14 Benefits of a Needs Assessment (Gupta, 2007, p. 20) Build Relationships Clarify Opportunities Set goals for future action Establish objectives for initiatives Prioritize Actions Provide data for decision making Identify leverage points and resources for making change

15 Starting the Needs Assessment Process

16 Purpose Example 1: Developing programs to attract adult students. Example 2: Developing a PLA program to attract adult students and accelerate degree completion.

17 Data Collection Solicit and obtain information that may be useful Identify key people or parties involved that will provide accurate information Clarify what needs are most important

18 Three Components of Data Collection 1. Collection of information for the purpose of understanding and determining potential problems in order to create opportunities for collaboration and relationship building 2.Analysis of the Data Gathered 3.Reaching a Conclusion

19 Data Collection Methods 1. Interviews 2. Focus Groups 3. Direct Observations 4. Surveys

20 Data Collection Methods: Types of Interviews 1. In Person 2. By Phone 3. Computer Technology

21 Important Notes About Interviews Interviews Can Identify Gaps In Information Group Interviews Can Be Useful As They Allow Participants To Share Information (Moore.2014, pp ).

22 Problems To Group Interviews (Moore, 2014, p.244) Domination By Certain Individuals Group Think May Occur Lack Of Individual Thinking Lack Of Creativity

23 Data Collection Methods: Focus Groups Focus groups are composed of people who have something in common about a specific topic Focus groups should remain small (5-8 persons) Focus groups should have a skilled facilitator present

24 Data Collection Methods: Direct Observation Gain access from a college that has a long standing successful PLA program

25 Data Collection Methods: Surveys Gupta (2007) states that developing surveys is difficult (p. 51) and proposes this systematic process to ensure that objectives are being met when conducting surveys Prepare Design Develop Questions Write Instructions Write a Cover Letter Pilot-Test Conduct the Survey and Follow-Up

26 Use of Results How information is shared and to whom

27 Analysis and Interpretation Presenting results in a clear manner

28 FINAL THOUGHTS Implementation and Design Process and Procedures Policies Program Evaluation

29 References GUPTA, K. (2007). A practical guide to needs assessment. San Francisco, CA. Pfeiffer. Moore, C. (2014). The mediation process. San Francisco, CA. Jossey-Bass.

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