ENACTUS TRAINING

Steps to condcut a needs analysis

Developed by D Caspersz & D Bejr, 2013

Step 1: Explore• Identify 3-5 key concerns • Identify measurable indicators that show that these

concerns exist in that community Eg, if poverty is the concern then you can find out the average weekly wage, and what it costs to buy a basket of goods considered as ‘staples’ for that community e.g. bread, milk.

• Identify reliable sources from which you can get this data, direct from the community or indirect from the Australian Bureau of Statistics

• Decide which concerns have the highest priorities, eg the poverty in children less than 5 years old.

This exercise has been adapted from the SIFE Loyola University SIFE USA Training, 2010

Step 2: Gather the Data

• Gather data that assists you to define the need.

• Use secondary sources: statistics and reports produced by government and other agencies.

• Use primary sources: using surveys, interviews or focus groups with those from the target population and ‘key informants’

Step 2: Analyse the data

Analysing the data requires asking the following questions:• WHY does this need exist and persist? i.e.

what are the social, economic and environmental CAUSES of the need?

• What are the CONSEQUENCES of this need for the individual, group or community?

• How difficult is this need to change? Low, medium or high?

• How critical is this need to this community? What will happen to the individual, group or community if I don’t address this need?

• You can define criticality by answering this question using a scale of 1-5, 1 being not critical at all and 5 being urgently critical.

Step 2: Analyse the data

Step 2: How to Analyse Data• Use simple statistical methods such averages.

Ask respondents to rate items on a survey from 1-5 and then average the result.

• You can analyse qualitative data by either coding the major issues or using a data analytics tool.

• You may have to seek the assistance of faculty at your university to do this.

• Students studying statistics such as psychology, actuarial and business degrees may also be able to help. Consider this when recruiting your teams!

Step 2: Data Summary

• Prepare a summary report. • No more than 5 pages.• Describe WHY this need is important and

why you think this arises.• Describe the tools used to gather the data• Develop a table that summarises the

information you have discovered, or write a series of short points using headings and text to briefly describe your findings.

Step 2: Verifying the Accuracy of your Data

• Present your findings to your targeted individual, group or community.

• Use a series of key questions to explore whether they agree or disagree with your analysis.

• Ask them what else you need to consider.• You can also use the same process and present your

findings to other key informants e.g. external stakeholders who may have a knowledge of the need you have identified either through their own work, or expert knowledge.

Step 3: Make Decisions

• Need to decide which need/s will be addressed

• Prioritise according to time, expertise in your team, and resources available.

• Then identify possible solutions.

Step 3: Develop Solutions

Answer these questions:• What will be the effect of the solution on the

needs/s?• How acceptable is the solution to your target

group and to your own team and stakeholders e.g. faculty advisor, bab.

• How feasible is the solution? Do you have the resources or access to resources to do this? Will anything prevent this solution from happening?

Step 3: Identifying Solutions

• Collaborate with people from the target group as well as your own team, faculty advisor and BAB.

• Try and find an ‘expert’ in your university, alumni, BAB or network who knows about the need you have identified, and discuss your project and the possible solutions

Step 3: Final Decision

By consulting with others:• You can make an informed decision about

which solution you will pursue.• Begin to involve stakeholders in developing

and implementing the solution.

Step 3: Action Time

Develop an action plan to implement your solution. To do this :• list your need.• describe your solution.• identify the resources required.• list the sources/people from whom you will

get these resources.• identify a timeline.

Step 3: Review and Audit

• Develop a strategy to continually review and update your needs analysis.

• This can be achieved by either regular meeting with your team members, individual, group or community with whom you are working and external stakeholders e.g. BAB.

• Auditing of your project can be an easy way to review