Needs Assessment & Front-End Analysis Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Needs Assessment & Front-End Analysis flashcards as text
What is a 'needs assessment' in the context of human performance technology (HPT)?
Answer: A systematic process to identify gaps between current and desired performance
A needs assessment in HPT is a systematic process that identifies the gap between current performance and desired performance outcomes before any intervention is selected.
Which is the most appropriate FIRST step when beginning a formal needs assessment?
Answer: Establishing the desired or optimal performance state
The first step is establishing the desired performance state so that the actual gap can be measured against a defined standard.
In ISPI's Human Performance Technology model, what does a 'performance gap' refer to?
Answer: The discrepancy between actual (current) and optimal (desired) performance levels
A performance gap is the measurable discrepancy between where performance is now (actual) and where it needs to be (optimal), which drives the need for intervention.
Which level of needs assessment is specifically focused on identifying knowledge and skill deficiencies in performers?
Answer: Person/individual needs assessment
The person or individual level of needs assessment targets specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that individual performers need to close a performance gap.
What is the primary purpose of a 'front-end analysis' in the performance improvement process?
Answer: To assess and diagnose performance problems before any intervention is selected
Front-end analysis is diagnostic work performed before selecting solutions to ensure interventions address the verified root causes of performance problems.
Which approach to needs assessment examines organizational processes, workflows, and environmental systems that affect performance?
Answer: Organizational/environmental analysis
Organizational or environmental analysis examines the broader systems, culture, resources, and processes that create or contribute to performance gaps.
In needs assessment, what distinguishes a 'need' from a 'want'?
Answer: A need represents a performance gap with measurable impact while a want is a preference without a verified gap
A need is a verifiable performance gap tied to measurable business or performance outcomes, while a want is a preference or desire not linked to a documented deficiency.