Training Needs Analysis

Identifying the learning your organisation really needs

It is a universal truth that what we think we want isn’t always what we need: nowhere is this more apparent than in the Learning & Development field. How many times has the learning solution which your organisation has demanded, missed the mark in delivering the anticipated business returns?

We passionately believe that making a relatively small upfront investment in researching your learners’ needs has a significant impact on the quality and value for money of the solution eventually delivered. Even better, our research process establishes relevant business performance indicators for your learning solution, against which returns on investment can not only be measured but demonstrated, up to Kirkpatrick Level 4.

Our analysis of your learners’ needs is conducted in a way which is fully tailored to fit your organisation. There are 6 simple steps in our approach:

• Confirm Research Approach
• Build Analysis Platform
• Conduct Investigation
• Analyse Results
• Report Findings
• Present Recommendations for Training

We typically look to engage a senior ‘business sponsor’, employ a mix of analysis methods, utilise your own managers (to a greater or lesser extent) in the research team and ensure that the research is strategic as well as tactical. One of the critical outputs of a Matchett Needs Research is a clear skills baseline against which progress can be measured and future development initiatives aligned. The benefits of our approach to your and your organisation are:

• Full scaleability and flexibility of approach
• You gain full insight into employing learning as a strategic transformation tool
• With visible senior sponsorship your learners will see the investment being made in them as business critical and to be taken seriously
• Costs are kept down through the mix of analysis methods and giving your managers the responsibility for assessing their teams. Also, giving them ownership of part of the research process encourages understanding of the development needs and responsibility for the future success learning solution
• The development needs of the individual are assessed fully within the context of the needs of the department and organisation
• Good communication through the process engages hearts & minds of learners, motivating them to be open and honest about their needs
• Successes and star performers can be identified and recognised
• Analysis is often a catalyst for establishing new disciplines and best practice, raising awareness of the importance of compliance to the your methodology and processes
• A clear picture of where your learners’ skills are ‘now’ – the baseline is clearly quantified not anecdotal
• Resulting training solution is specific, targeted and delivers ongoing returns

To discover more about how we can help you identify learning solutions which deliver truly outstanding returns, contact us now.