The purpose of this article is to identify, characterize and exemplify several types of needs assessment procedures which are currently applied in educational and other organizations. The relationship of those different needs assessment procedures to the problem-solving process is discussed [1–3]. An innovative paradigm, the Organizational Elements Model is presented as a pragmatic approach to contemporary decision-making and problem-solving [4]. The Model allows for maximum consideration of the kinds of societal impact our decisions have and presents a useful alternative to planning for organizational success.
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References
1.
KaufmanR., Educational System Planning, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1972.
2.
KaufmanR., Identifying and Solving Problems: A System Approach, (3rd edition), University Associates Publishers, San Diego, California, 1982.
3.
KaufmanR. and StoneB., Planning for Organizational Success: A Practical Guide, John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp. 25, 28, 1983.
4.
KaufmanR. and EnglishF. W., Needs Assessment, Concepts and Application, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1979.
5.
KaufmanR.StakenasR.WagerJ., and MayerH., Relating Needs Assessment, Program Development, Implementation and Evaluation, Journal of Instructional Development, 4: 4, pp. 17–26, 1981. (Quotation in this article (page 339) appears on page 26 of JID).
6.
KaufmanR., Needs Assessments: Internal and External, Occasional Paper #4, The Florida State University, April 27, 1977.
7.
DelamereT., Needs Assessment: A Language Project, unpublished paper, submitted to R. Kaufman, The Florida State University, 1982.
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BransonR. L., Interservice Procedures for Instructional Systems Development. Phase I-V and Executive Summary, U.S. Army TRADOC Pamphlet 350–30, 1974.
9.
KaufmanR. and ThomasS., Evaluation without Fear, Viewpoints Division of Franklin Watts, Inc., New York, 1980.
