Training Needs Analysis

What is Training Needs Analysis?

Training needs analysis (TNA) is the process of analyzing the training needs of employees at an organization to determine what training interventions they need.

Benefits of Training Needs Analysis

Without analyzing the training needs of employees, the most effective training interventions cannot be identified. Developing a training plan for employees at an organization without first having analyzed their needs will result in selecting training programs that might not be suitable for the employees who attend them. The benefit of carrying out training needs analysis is being crystal clear about the training needs of employees and thus being able to identify, select, design and develop training interventions that would result in the highest impact possible.

How to Conduct Training Needs Analysis?

In order to perform training needs analysis in the optimal way possible, one should go through a number of steps.

Gathering Data

The first step in carrying out a training needs analysis is to gather data from the following 3 sources:

  1. Employee performance evaluations

  2. Company objectives

  3. Assessment center

Employee performance evaluations can show areas of poor performance. Such areas may be the target of training interventions.

In addition to the poor performance shown in performance evaluations, the company might have a strategic plan with specific short-term objectives. In order to achieve those objectives, further training might be needed.

The assessment center can also be a source of information to help in determining the training needs of employees. Again such information might not appear in the performance evaluation reports. By directly assessing employees through the assessment center, some additional training needs may be uncovered.

Analyzing the Data

After sufficient data has been gathered from the 3 sources mentioned above, the next step is to analyze such data.

If some patterns emerge, such as finding common weak areas that show as poor performance among a large number of employees, then a training program can be designed and offered to this group of employees.