A Training Needs Analysis (TNA) is a process of gathering and interpreting information on an organisation, department and / or individual for the purpose of identifying areas for performance improvement. Any organisation needs to realise the potential of its workforce in order to ensure that it is acquiring skills, knowledge, behaviours and experience it needs to effectively contribute towards the organisations goals.

A TNA can be performed on several different levels but this site will concentrate on two which are;

• Help to identify the precise areas where training is needed.

• Ensure training and development initiatives are closely aligned with your organisational goals and culture.

• Establish key priorities for your organisation which will direct goals and targets.

• Recommend the wise allocation of training budgets.

• Look at preferred learning styles and learning opportunities appropriate to the individual as well as the organisation.

An organisation may be prompted into using the TNA as a tool for several reasons including the identification of an emerging or anticipated problem which might be solved by training. The organisation may be considering if a competitive edge may be gained from taking advantage of new technologies, new methodologies and / or new approaches. Organisations are also subject to external forces which require mandatory training and/ or new working practices for which training is essential.