Needs Analysis

Instruction is usually designed to change or introduce a skill or behavior. Before creating the design, a needs analysis should be conducted. Tim Slade (2021) explains in his video that a needs analysis is conducted to allow you to create a training solution that addresses the performance problem. Performing this analysis avoids creating a design that does not address the problem. Creating a design that does not work wastes resources such as time and money. After completion of the analysis, Slade states you should be able to answer the following three questions.

• What are people doing?

• What do you want people doing?

• Why aren't people doing it?

Task Analysis

A task analysis is conducted to identify what needs to be taught and how to teach it (Brown & Green, 2020). Designers will often work with a subject matter expert to understand processes or the topic that requires instruction. This ensures that the instructional material is accurate and touches on the important pieces of the subject. This is the stage where instructional goals and objectives are clearly identified. The task analysis will answer the following:

• What do the learners need to perform the learned skill or behavior?

• What part of the learned material is the most important?

• What activities and strategies will be used to deliver and use during the instruction?

• What evaluations will be used to help identify learning and design?

During a task analysis, you will review the task (job) that needs to be completed and break it down into clear steps (Biech, 2016). Biech list the following seven steps to completing a task analysis in the article Task Analysis and Training and Development.

1. Identify the task.

2. List every step to perform the task from start to finish.

3. Make every step as straightforward as possible.

4. After completing the steps, identify them in one of three ways:

   1. Common Knowledge

   2. On-the-job training

   3. Training Topic

5. Have a subject matter expert (SME) review the task steps for accuracy.

6. Design the instruction around the topics identified as required training.

7. If job aids are developed, make sure to include them in the training program.

Learners Analysis

Not all instruction is created equal. A factor to take into consideration when designing instruction is to understand the audience. This is done during the learners analysis. A learners analysis helps the designer understand who the targeted audience is to create effective instruction (Brown & Green, 2020).

Understanding your audience allows you to understand some of the following aspects of the design (Harper, n.d.).

• The type of guidance to provide

• The level of support needed

• Best way to deliver the material

One piece all designers should remember when creating instruction is that the learners are human and to incorporate basic human needs into the design. Brown and Green (2020) reference Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a theory that indicates people’s behaviors are determined by their needs. As designers, we want to ensure specific needs are met for the learners to be ready for learning. These needs would be physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Depending on the design, it is essential to incorporate rest breaks when necessary to accommodate some of these needs.

References

Biech, E. (2016, March 26). Task Analysis and Training and Development. Dummies. Retrieved January 21, 2023 from https://www.dummies.com/article/business-careers-money/business/human-resources/task-analysis-and-training-and-development-142495/

Brown, A. H., & Green, T. D. (2020). The Essentials of Instructional Design: Connecting Fundamental Principles with Process and Practice (4th ed.). Routledge (Taylor & Francis).

Harper, C. (n.d.). What is a Learner Analysis for Instructional Design and eLearning Development? Elearning & Instructional Design For Beginners. https://www.eteachonline.com/blog/understandlearners

Slade, T. [The eLearning Designers Academy by Tim Slade]. (2021, October 25). How to Conduct a Needs Analysis [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDZ6_iVZlt0&t=32s

UX Indonesia. (2020). [Untitled photograph of people writing]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/qC2n6RQU4Vw?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText