In Needs Assessments: Design and Execution for Success—the latest research report by the Association for Talent Development (ATD)—results show that needs assessments are only used by a slight majority of organizations. In fact, only 56 percent of participating organizations use needs assessments.

The report defines needs assessment as the process for determining and addressing gaps between current or desired conditions. Training and non-training solutions may close the gaps identified. Training needs assessment, however, is the process of identifying how training can help an organization reach its goals.

The purpose of this report is to differentiate needs assessments and training needs assessments. The report also explores the current practices and trends in both. Included are insights and recommendations from subject matter experts on how talent development professionals can overcome key challenges to improve their efforts.