Abstract

Needs assessment is considered by the theorists and practitioners to be the first step in developing training and other performance improvement interventions. The reality is that many projects begin without a needs assessment or with an inadequate one. Even when an organization accepts in theory that this step is critical, the organization may not provide the necessary time, human resources, or budget to perform it. The purpose of this study was to observe a needs assessment in an organization in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the application of the process and to identify the problems encountered. The case study method used was participant observation by a member of the multi-functional team assigned to a needs assessment conducted in a US subsidiary of Canadian National Railway. This paper provides a review of literature on needs assessment, a description of the process observed in the case study, and observations on the process. The successes, difficulties, and flaws in the observed needs assessment process are discussed and recommendations for future applications are supplied.