Strategic Training Needs Analysis

Strategic Training Needs Analysis
Conclusion and Recommendations
In order for the training to be successful, it is important to address the training needs by conducting a training needs analysis. The analysis helps critical issues such as the needs and requirements for the training. During the analysis, we get to answer questions such as which area the training is needed and why in that area? This ensures that the recommended training address the business needs in question. The another reason for the analysis is to identify the already existing business competencies and the methods to be used for and effective training. In order for a training analysis to be successful, the expected results and cost used must be accurately accounted for.
For an effective training needs assessment, four steps are recommended. The first step is to conduct a “Gap” analysis to be able to know the target community’s or workplaces current situation against the desired or targeted standards. This should also identify what is required to bridge the gap in order to reach the targeted position. Since the workplace’s needs may be many, the next step is to identify the important ones and address them in the order of their priorities. The third step is identifying what the community is not doing that is also causing the problem or the gap. This targets both the organization and its employees. The final step is developing the solution for addressing the needs. This solution is where the training comes in. Since we have all the necessary requirements for the training; it is now easier to conduct the training to achieve the desired outcomes for the community or workplace.

Failure to do the training needs analysis may lead to an ineffective training would not address the desired outcome for the community.
Self-Reflection
As a group member, I made sure that I attended all group work meetings and in time. I also contributed to the discussions in the areas that I had knowledge about thus giving others chances to contribute to ensuring I did not dominate the whole group discussions. In addition to that, respected every member of the group by addressing them appropriately and welcomed criticisms from any group member. During the scheduled meetings, I made sure I listened attentively and also submitted my group assignment in time.
Contrarily, working as a group had its challenges such as the possibility of joy riding where some of the group members were like to remain as spectators and leave all the work to the other group members. This would have demoralized the other members, and therefore we allocated each member an assignment to be presented during at the scheduled group meetings. I also ensure we started by laying the ground rules to ensure that each and every member co-existed peacefully thus eliminating the possibility of conflicts. The establishment of expectations also solved the problem of members contributing then they were capable of achieving it. If I were to become a consultant in the future, I would be sure to assure the group members that their individual ideas are paramount to the group work in order to eliminate the challenge of group thinking. This is a situation where a member tends to agree with the majority on almost every point made since they believe that their ideas are not important yet they might be unique and imperative.
In conclusion, group work taught me that working as a team produces high results despite the challenges. This is because each member of the group has experience in one area or another and combining those ideas made our work much better than my individual work.