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how to identify training needs 269

Analyse Define Define Define
training training target training
needs goals group design

Develop Select Define Calculate
methods/ trainers application costs and
lesson process benefits
plan

Involve Conduct a Imple- Imple-
senior trial run ment the ment an
manage- and design training evalua-
ment a final tion
version process
FIGURE 13.1 Main elements of the training development process

of a training development process. Each element of this process will be described in this
chapter by using the introductory-level leadership training programme as an example.

HOW TO IDENTIFY TRAINING NEEDS

Before designing and implementing a training programme it is important to identify
which skills and areas of learning to focus on. Not infrequently a member of the senior
management team will detect certain shortcomings in performance and then ask the
internal training department to develop a training programme that will help to remedy
these deficiencies.
Training in itself may very well serve as a possible solution in such a case, but by
conducting a training needs analysis, you will be able to pinpoint a broader range of fac-
tors causing the performance deficiencies. Another frequent impetus for training needs
analysis comes from the internal training department itself. They may have a number
of training courses on offer and simply wish to find out if these courses are meeting the
needs of the organisation. The internal training department will probably want to identify
which skills are to be reinforced and strengthened within the organisation as a whole.
There are several techniques which may be used to analyse an organisation’s training
needs.

INTERVIEWS

A popular and effective means of identifying training needs is the interview. Interviews
provide you with an in-depth view of the specific working environment in which future
training course candidates will be active, and they help to highlight those skills which
are important for the success of a candidate’s future performance. Interviews may be
conducted with a number of different types of candidates: