DSAT Training Needs Analysis

JSP 822 DSAT Training Needs Analysis (TNA) is described as a structured survey and analysis of training requirements arising as a result of equipment procurement, doctrinal change, organisational change or changes to legislation.

It includes a comparison of different training methods and media, with a view to recommending the optimum training for maximum cost-effectiveness.

It is a highly flexible procedure with a choice of supporting tools and techniques varying between projects. In all cases, however a TNA is an output based, iterative process, providing an audit trail for all decisions.

It should be noted that the organisation and analyst should understand that the methodology is flexible and should not be over complicated, but fit for purpose.

It may not be necessary to conduct all of the stages detailed below; every TNA is different, it is suggested that the Phase 2 requirement is detailed within the Scoping Study in order to leave the authority/contractor in no doubt of what is required within the TNA deliverable's.

TNA Scoping Study

The Scoping Study Report is completed as early as possible within the TNA process. The report contains information regarding the target audience affected, current training, description of the change, key stake holders, issues, assumptions and constraints. It is a management plan for the next phases of the TNA and identifies the boundaries and identifies key areas of risk; in short the Scoping Study analyses the requirements. It should contain findings and recommendations that are discussed via a TNA steering group and passed up to a Capability Integrated Working Group (CIWG) in order for them/authority to make informed decisions based upon an audit trail of analysis.

Operational Task Analysis (OTA)

The purposes of the Operational Task Analysis (OTA) is to provide the evidence of a job/task to establish the performance, conditions and standards for all jobholders affected by the new or changed requirement.

Supporting methods may include Difficulty, Importance and Frequency (DIF) and Knowledge, Skills and Attitude (KSA) in order to assist in the identification of training priorities/categories.

The deliverable of the OTA is Operational Performance Statements (OPS).

This is essential when a new or changed operational equipment is involved.

Training Gap Analysis (TGA)

The purpose of the Training Gap Analysis (TGA) is to identify the additional training requirement of the affected job holders by determining the training gap between the performance required by the OPS identified within the task analysis and any existing training performance, conditions and standards.

This analysis also enables the impact upon operational capability to be assessed if the new or changed operational equipment is procured without additional training.

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) required by the job holders are often analysed at this stage. The deliverable's of the TGA are Training Objectives for all affected job holders.

Training Options Analysis (TOA)

The products within the Options Analysis should contain methods and media suitable for the particular type of training and often assessed using Method of Training Effectiveness (MOTE), MOTE takes much of the subjectivity away from the analysis as it involves assessment utilizing Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).

At this stage a Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) can be conducted in order to provide the authority with Rough Order of Magnitude costs for each type of method or media analysed.

The output is a TOA containing findings and recommendations as to the cost effective and efficient training option.

TNA Report

Throughout the process reports are updated culminating in a Final Report that identifies the requirement, the recommended training strategy and the resources required to design and support the delivery. No new analysis activities should be introduced at this stage and the TNA Report should collate all of the information from the Scoping Study and TNA Deliverable's adding an implementation plan and an Evaluation strategy. It should include a description of the methodology used for the TNA in terms of the data gathering and analysis techniques and clearly reference the data sources consulted to provide an audit trail..

Finally, the report should have a distribution list to ensure that all affected stakeholders remain informed.

Note: JSP 822 has recently been updated, the latest iteration is dated Mar 17 and consists of two manual covering directive and guidance.