Why I love Needs Assessments

Sometimes we get caught up in assumptions and we think that people need training.  I am currently working on a needs assessment that is helping a client confirm that assumption.  What we’ve uncovered is that training is not the only answer and may not actually be the primary need.  I feel good that I may have saved this client $50,000 in unnecessary work.  Now, that money may eventually get spent on addressing the real need for the organization, but it’s way better than spending money on a program that sounds great, but isn’t really going to help them meet their goals.  It sends a message to the organization that HR is a true business partner and sends a message to individual employees that HR isn’t going to force a one size fits all training program on them.  Good messages to be sending, I think.