This is a question that comes up often in my conversations with both new and experienced instructional designers. There are many views and perspectives about the correct answer. It doesn't help that we have different types of analysis including performance analysis, task analysis, context analysis, audience analysis, etc.
So, here's my response.
Needs Analysis (or Gap Analysis) is the identification of the root cause of the gap.
Given a business problem or an opportunity:
Needs Assessment is the identification of the gap that exists between the current state and the desired state.
Needs Assessment is the identification of the gap that exists between the current state and the desired state.
Needs Analysis (or Gap Analysis) is the identification of the root cause of the gap.
When applied to training, we also see it being referred to as Training Needs Analysis (TNA). In the context of TNA, there is a performance gap in terms of the underlying knowledge, skills or practice.
But a performance gap may also occur due to poor environment, inadequate processes, lack of tools or resources, lack of motivation, absence of performance standards, etc. Training is not the right choice given these gaps and that's when one would use Performance Analysis. The scope of Performance Analysis is much wider than that of Training Needs Analysis.
Both Training Needs Analysis and Performance Analysis require gathering information about the learners/employees (Audience Analysis), the tasks/work they are expected to perform (Task Analysis), and the context in which the task/work is performed (Context Analysis).
But a performance gap may also occur due to poor environment, inadequate processes, lack of tools or resources, lack of motivation, absence of performance standards, etc. Training is not the right choice given these gaps and that's when one would use Performance Analysis. The scope of Performance Analysis is much wider than that of Training Needs Analysis.
Both Training Needs Analysis and Performance Analysis require gathering information about the learners/employees (Audience Analysis), the tasks/work they are expected to perform (Task Analysis), and the context in which the task/work is performed (Context Analysis).
Clear as mud? :)
