Teaching Paper: Needs Assessment Templates – Practical Tools for Identifying Skills and Organizational Gaps
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Teaching Paper | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: 10.64357/neya-gjnps-fd-tr-cp-bd-tp-01
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About the Article
Needs assessment is a foundational practice in non-profit management and capacity building. This Teaching Paper introduces two ready-to-use tools: a Basic Skills Assessment for evaluating individual capacity and an Organizational Needs Analysis for identifying systemic challenges. Drawing on frameworks from Bryson, Drucker, and Patton, the paper positions needs assessment as a bridge between data-driven decision-making and effective resource allocation. A case study from rural Kenya demonstrates application in practice, while guidance on common challenges and reflection questions helps practitioners adapt the tools to their contexts. The paper provides academics with a methodological contribution and practitioners with actionable resources to improve performance, training design, and organizational sustainability.
Key Topics
- Needs assessment in non-profit organizations
- Skills assessment and organizational analysis
- Strategic planning and resource allocation
- Case study: application in rural Kenya
- Common challenges and solutions
- Practical templates for trainers and leaders
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Teaching Paper: Needs Assessment Templates – Practical Tools for Identifying Skills and Organizational Gaps. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-tr-cp-na-tp-01
References
| Bryson, J. M. (2018). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations. Jossey-Bass. | ||||
| Drucker, P. F. (1990). Managing the non-profit organization: Practices and principles. HarperCollins. | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Foundations of Training and Capacity Building. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/foundations-training-capacity-2025 | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Ethical Consulting for Purpose-Driven Success. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/ethical-consulting-2025 | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Training: Evaluation and Impact Assessment. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/training-evaluation-impact-2025 | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Coaching Public Speakers: Developing Skills and Confidence in Others. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/coaching-public-speakers-2025 | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Conducting needs assessment for training and capacity building in non-profit organizations. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-fd-tr-cp-bd-03 | ||||
| Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Understanding training and capacity building in non-profit organizations. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-fd-tr-cp-bd-02 | ||||
| Patton, M. Q. (2008). Utilization-focused evaluation (4th ed.). SAGE. | ||||
| Watkins, R., Meiers, M. W., & Visser, Y. L. (2012). A guide to assessing needs: Essential tools for collecting information, making decisions, and achieving development results. World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-8868-6 | ||||
