Customer Reviews

A Practical Guide to Needs Assessment

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Kavita Gupta wrote a book that is a must-have for anyone desiring an overview of the multiple ways needs assessment can occur. Gupta begins by setting the context of needs assessment, attending first to what needs assessment is and where it fits into the training or performance improvement scheme. By overviewing the works of Gilbert, Kaufman, Rossett, and others, the author creates a very usable comparison. Persons trying to decide what type of needs assessments are best for their situation can quickly narrow their focuses. (Not all needs analyses are built alike, after all, and they start from somewhat different places.) A review of data gathering fundamentals is concise (just over 20 pages) but helpful.

In "Part II, Getting Down to Brass Tacks" Gupta examines and provides very helpful models for conducting four types of needs analyses: Strategic Needs Assessment, Competency-Based Assessment, Job and Task Analysis, and Training Needs Assessment.

The Toolkit in Part III is invaluable--samples of 21 different forms. By itself, this section makes the book worth every penny. The diskette provided, though, provides each of these forms in MSWord--ready to be opened, customized, and used in real applications.

There is great value in this book--enough description of the models that one can begin using them, references to dig deeper into the models if desired, and charts, tables, and job aids that allow anyone to get started quickly on effective needs analysis.

I am a technical trainer of 10 years, and manage a group of four.

This is a great book for anyone looking for best practice approaches to a variety of needs assessment situations. Gupta's chapters are organized by the common type(s) of needs assessments, and each chapter breaks down the component steps that need to be taken to complete the assessment.

I think one of the real gems of the book is that she provides lots of examples of needs assessment interview questions, surveys, training plans, etc. on a floppy disk attached to the back of the book, which you can save to computer and work from to build your own stuff. It saved me some design time, and gave my assessment a "kick start" in the right direction.

One of the reasons Ms Gupta's first book was so good was the simplicity with which she presented the whole system of needs assessment. Dr's Sleezer and Russ-Eft in this second edition have added considerably to the information and maintained the simplicity and systems approach. Things that work well for me are:
* Systems diagrams
* Applications orientation--lots of how-to's for each step of the way
* Clear pros and cons for each approach
* Check-lists, models and examples
* CD which includes forms and formats and web links

As a trainer of instructional design, this book is one I recommend for my classes and for anyone who does needs assessment.
A Practical Guide to Needs Assessment (Essential Knowledge Resource)

This is an excellent title. The book focuses on the basics of effective assessments. It is well organized and provides an easy to follow step-by-step format for educators/HR professionals to utilize. The book is intended to be a guide and resource tool, not a magic solution to the age-old problem of what do we need?

The authors provide a list of common techniques for assessment problems and offers practical suggestions on how to handle each problem. Assessment has been one of the leading problems in training for the past 20+ years, which clearly indicates that needs assessments are an ongoing process. The outlines presented are practical, useful, and can be utilized by both novice and veteran personnel.

This book should be required by all organizations. The quick search format allows the assessor to go immediately to the format they should utilize. It could also be used as a staff development tool throughout the organization.

A solid investment for those who deal with organizational needs. It could greatly enhance their success. The practical experience of the author is evident in that the solutions offered are practical and workable, not just full of "words" and what should work. An fanfab read!

Having attended a book review with Dr.'s Sleezer and Russ-Eft in Indianapolis recently, I was intrigued with the book and thought I would give it a go.

This work is very well-organized! My favorite part is that the authors make it easy to use the book as a reference to the Needs Assessment process by providing an index of what you're looking for and where to find it. Additionally, a CD is provided with a host of needs assessment tools that, so far, appear very useful!

We used this book in my Training Needs Analysis course work. What a dynamic book that is loaded with worksheets, questionnaires, and checklists. The author took what some choose to turn into a complex subject and presented the material in a highly practical manner.

I doubt this book will collect dust on your bookshelf as you will find yourself reaching for it time and time again. I highly recommend you purchase this book and start using it today!

Thanks,

Kevin Love, MBA
Training and Development Professional
Dallas / Fort Worth Area
817-778-8540
kevindlove AT hotmail.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinlove

Although this text is well organized and easy to read and access information, I feel that the book does not provide discussions/case studies/examples regarding the needs analysis issues of nonprofit organizations.

I hoped to be able to buy this item locally to save on the postage, but the price could not be beat.

I purchased this based on the reviews and they were right on the mark. I have training and course development experience but was going into an organization that had little to no training history or foundation to build on. An assessment was needed and quickly--this cut to the chase. If you buy used, make sure it comes with the CD. The CD has great templates to kick start your assessment. The book has great charts, pros and cons of assessment methods, and step by step processes. Some books (although good) only give you a taste of the acutal conducting of the assessment while trying to be all encompassing. This book stays focused on the building and conducting of the actual assessment. I think you can keep coming back to this book for all levels of training assessments--from full blown to follow up assessments. It also gives you ways to build your argument when it comes to getting an organization on board with conducting the assessment and the results. I don't think this is for those that want a lot of theory and pure academic approach to the process. This is for those already in the trenches.

A well-written, to-the-point book on Needs Assessment. Applies well to other types of assessments as well.

Initially purchased for a graduate school class. Since then, I have used this book several times to guide needs assessments for various customers.

A definate aid to devising a needs assessment and validating your approach.