Needs Analysis & Performance Consulting

Training Needs Analysis (TNA)

A systematic process for identifying gaps in knowledge, skills, or performance that may require a learning solution.

Needs Assessment

A process for determining the gap between the current state and desired state and identifying what is needed to close that gap.

Performance Gap

The difference between current performance and desired performance.

Root Cause Analysis

A process for identifying the underlying reason a performance problem is occurring rather than treating only its symptoms.

Training Problem

A performance gap caused at least partly by insufficient knowledge or skill that learning can reasonably address.

Non-Training Problem

A performance problem caused primarily by factors such as processes, tools, incentives, resources, expectations, workload, or environment rather than lack of knowledge or skill.

Performance Consulting

A systematic approach to identifying performance needs and recommending appropriate solutions, which may or may not include training.

Stakeholder

A person or group with an interest in, influence over, or responsibility for a learning initiative or its outcomes.

Stakeholder Analysis

The process of identifying stakeholders and understanding their needs, influence, expectations, and role in a project.

SME

Subject Matter Expert; a person with specialized knowledge or expertise who contributes content and context to a learning solution.

Learner Analysis

The process of identifying learner characteristics, existing knowledge, needs, motivations, environment, and other factors that affect instructional design.

Task Analysis

The process of breaking down a job, process, or skill into the tasks, steps, knowledge, and abilities required to perform it.

Gap Analysis

A comparison of the current state with the desired state to determine what needs to change.

Performance Analysis

Investigation of a performance problem to determine its causes and identify appropriate interventions.

Business Need

The organizational problem, opportunity, or goal that a learning or performance initiative is intended to support.

Learning Need

A gap in knowledge, skill, or capability that learning can help address.

Training vs. Performance Support

Training builds knowledge or skills learners need to acquire, while performance support provides assistance at the moment a task is performed.

Training vs. Performance Problem Interview Answer

Before developing training, I determine why the performance gap exists. If employees already know how to perform the task but are prevented by a process, tool, incentive, or resource issue, additional training is unlikely to solve the underlying problem.

What is a training needs assessment?

The process of determining if a problem is caused by the training, a process or tool, or if its a motivation issue.