Rapid Needs Analysis: Tools, Worksheets, And Job AIDS to Help You Determine in "Internet Time" If Analysis Is Needed, Find And Analyze a Performance Problem Fast, Recommend

The rapid pace of business today may preclude the often lengthy, time-consuming process of needs analysis. Rapid Needs Analysis provides its readers with a framework to conduct an analysis of a performance problem in a fast and efficient manner. Moreover, this book will help you decide if needs analysis is warranted in the first place, and if so, how to get it done quickly. You’ll learn how to analyze a request for a performance solution and how to identify a current situation through rapid methods, such as using technology. You will find the practical needs analysis process, methodologies, and tools helpful in most every situation that requires needs analysis. Case studies are also provided to illustrate each step in the needs analysis process along with examples of how other companies have been successful using the process.

Susan Barksdale and Teri Lund have a combined total of 40 years of hands-on experience in workplace learning and performance and are recognized experts in the areas of competency system development, evaluation (including how to calculate ROI and how to value intellectual capital), strategic planning, needs assessment and internal consulting. After partnering on shared projects for over five years, they founded Strategic Assessment and Evaluation Associates, LLC, an entity through which they offer licensing agreements for their human performance technology models. These licensing agreements were developed in response to customer demand for the "how-to" behind their consulting projects. The models have proved successful in providing clients with the ability to replicate the processes, methods, tools and templates developed and tested by the authors over many years.

The authors are known for their practical approaches to workplace learning and performance solutions and for translating complex theory into easy-to-understand applications. They have developed and implemented solutions for many organizations including Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Microsoft, Allstate Insurance, First Interstate Bank (now Wells Fargo) US Bank and The Capital Group Companies.

Susan Barksdale has been a consultant to numerous large corporations for the last 12 years. Prior to this she managed training and consulting departments for two financial consulting firms. She holds both graduate and undergraduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin. Before entering the workplace learning and performance field in 1979 she was a psychotherapist working within a major medical center and in private practice. Ms. Barksdale taught a number of communication and behavior management courses at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.

Teri Lund has been an external consultant for the last 8 years before which time she held Training and Performance Improvement Management positions for Barclays Bank, Kaiser Permanente and Sealund and Associates. She has a Bachelors of Science degree in Education from Montana State University and a Masters in International Business and Finance degree from New York University. Ms. Lund has in-depth experience in implementing alternative methods of training such as computer-based training and multi-media and is a recognized leader in the area of technology and its impact on learning and performance improvement.