People Wit

It is usually easier and less costly to gather existing information than to gather new information. Look in several places for existing information, such as:

• Operations and productivity statistics and reports

• Prior surveys or interview information

• Financial records

• Purchase order and inventory reports

• Organization databases

• Logs or records of employee activities and hours

• Personnel records or performance review information

• Customer satisfaction information reports

• Complaints or grievances

• Print media

• Information on the organization’s website

• Materials from previous training programs attended by a specific group

Be aware that certain information in personnel records, including performance review information, may be confidential and not open to review. This type of information can only be used for its original purpose. Often existing information can provide either the exact information to clarify assumptions or describe the extent of an issue—or information that can become the basis for further discovery. Continuing with the example above about requested time management training, perhaps the communication tools used by teams of two can be reviewed. Information about the frequency of meetings between the teams of two can also help reveal productivity issues and possible time wasters.

Source : Jean Barbazette. Training Needs Assessments. 2006