Needs Assessment 1
Needs Assessment 1 :
A specific form of evaluation, distinct from performance evaluation, that focuses upon “needs” rather than upon system performance. It is performed with commonly used evaluation methodology: surveys, interviews, meeting reports and others. These may take place both for programmatic as well as response and recovery purposes. Needs assessments are commonly performed during the conceptualization phase of program development or radical revision (“identifying the specific needs that a program should address”) or during response and recovery, when it is unclear what the incident needs may be. For example, the “modified cluster sampling” done after Hurricane Andrew to assess Floridians’ needs was a complex, formal response needs assessment. Conversely, a “suggestion box” is a very simple example of a programmatic needs assessment
