Steps of Need Assessment

To assess, in the context of „needs assessment” means a complex process which includes three phases or steps:

· Pre-assessment

· Assessment

· Post-assessment

1. Pre-assessment is an exploratory phase which tries to identify what is already known on the respective needs at the level of the envisaged system. In this stage the main problems are identified, as well as the main concerns and types further data needed.

2. Main assessment is focused on data and opinion collection and analysis on the respective needs. Now the first version of priorities is being set and there is an attempt to clarify causes producing certain needs, identified and described.

3. Post-assessment establishes the final order of priorities produces alternative solutions to answer the needs and makes the passage to utilization of data in order to develop concrete action plans. An important aspect in this stage is the public communication on the decisions about priorities and courses of further actions.

Phase I Pre-assessment (exploration)	Phase 2 Assessment (data collection)	Phase 3 Post-assessment (utilization)
Defining the general aims of the NA	Collecting data onidentified needs	Set up „final” version ofpriorities
Identification of major needs / main areas of concern	Set up preliminarypriorities from theperspective of Beneficiaries	Develop alternative Solutions
Identification of available Information	Identify causes	Develop action plans
Determine methods for data collection and sources of information	Analysis and synthesis of data	Communicate results