A needs assessment is a systematic process used to determine the needs, priorities and gaps between current conditions or a situation, and the required position.
A needs assessment can be used:
- as a platform to inform programs, policies and services designed to address needs identified
- as part of a strategic assessment used to help design (not just inform) programs, policies and services
- to justify your proposal as part of a grant submission (for major projects & large grants)
Regardless of the complexity of reporting required, it should aim to:
- identify the issues and challenges associated with the highlighted situation or concern
- provide quantitative and qualitative information as a platform to inform programs, policies and services designed to address those needs
- identify and discuss – academic research, studies and recommendations
There are multiple ways to conduct a needs assessment from simple spreadsheets to complex reports.
Some examples of needs assessments that Thriive have provided are:
- Natural Disaster Recovery
- Regional agricultural strategies
- Regional biocontrol for weeds of economic and environmental significance
- Regionally specific ICT access in agriculture
- Regional childcare
- Regional homelessness
- Brisbane’s Young Carers
- Threatened species conservation
