General

Agencies should conduct a needs assessment before establishing any training and development program. Agencies are required to periodically assess (at minimum annually) the overall agency talent management program to identify training needs (5 CFR 410.201(4)).  The purpose of conducting a needs assessment is to identify performance requirements and competencies needed by the agency in order to achieve the agency mission (5 CFR 410.201(d)).  Training Needs Assessments identify “gaps” in performance required and current performance.  

For more information on Training Needs Assessments, refer to the Training Administration Fast Facts Index.