The Needs Assessment section offers methodologies and tools for learning more about users needs and motivations. What do users need to do? Where are they going to get work done? How do they do their work alone and with others? What are their motivations and aspirations? Uncovering the answers to such questions through user research is essential to designing effective spaces and will inform decisions throughout the space design and service design processes. The answers will help you identify existing gaps and explore ways to fill them.
Ultimately, learning spaces should be designed to support the needs of institutional programs and initiatives. Spaces should respond to the visions and goals outlined by your institution’s strategic plan in order to align with campus or other organizational priorities.
Learning about users’ needs enables you to establish the kinds of activities envisioned for the space(s) and to identify outcomes that will indicate how well the activities are supported over time. Collaboration with campus experts in instructional design, student learning, and analysis will be helpful in establishing these goals.
After renovation or new construction it is important to assess how well the space(s) is supporting the intended learning outcomes. How will you know your space is successful? How is the space supporting or not supporting the intended activities? This post-occupancy space assessment should be ongoing and iterative.
Best practices in creating goals/objectives, metrics and samples of assessment methods/approach
Needs Assessment Process
Overview of the iterative needs assessment process
Data Gathering Tools
Information and tools to help you gather data about users needs
Working With Data
Tools for packaging your data in ways to help with space and service planning
Links and references to existing methods and tools available in exploring user needs
Tips for Success
To ensure key research questions and issues have been addressed in the needs assessment