Technology @ Your Fingertips, Chapter 2

Chapter 1: Knowing What to Do

Chapter 2: Knowing What You Need

What is a Needs Assesment?

Who Should Do Your Needs Assessment?

Who Should Participate in the Needs Assessment Process?

What are the Steps in the Needs Assessment Process?

Functional Needs

Technical Requirements

Security and Ethical Standards

Writing Your Statement of Needs

What Should Be Included in a Set of Functional Specifications?

Chapter 3: Knowing What You Have

Chapter 4: Knowing What to Get

Chapter 5: Knowing How to Implement Your Solution

Chapter 6: Knowing How to Train Users

Chapter 7: Knowing How to Support and Maintain Your Technology Solution

Chapter 2: Knowing What You Need

What is a Needs Assessment?
You've probably heard of a "needs assessment" before, but it might be useful to explain what is meant by it here. Often a needs assessment is an evaluation of the existing environment and capabilities of an organization in order to determine what interventions will be needed. In the case of technology, a needs assessment is an evaluation of the functions you want your technology to have or the needs you hope technology will meet. Even if you don't have an inkling as to all the possible functions, you should try to imagine all the functions that would make your life easier. Whether or not technology can meet all your needs right now doesn't matter. When you define your technology requirements, you will strive to identify a structure that will allow new functions to be added as the technology becomes available.

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