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 Witkin and Altschuld’s Three Phase Needs Assessment Model

Altschuld, J. W. (2010). The Needs Assessment KIT. (ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. [5 volume series with individual titles listed in the Books section of this site]

Witkin, B. R. & Altschuld, J. W. (1995) Planning and Conducting Needs Assessments: A Practical Guide.  Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage Publications.

The Three-Phase Model proposed by Witkin & Altschuld is actually an analysis, assessment and action plan framework embedded within one method.  These processes occur over three phases: preassessment (exploration), assessment (data gathering), and postassessment (utilization).  As the first and last phase go beyond the scope of needs assessment as defined here, the model is actually a plan for problem identification and resolution.  As a reactive model, the authors describe needs assessment as a means by which to cope with current and future problems and constraints via risk identification techniques, rather than anticipating and creating future opportunities.  This philosophical underpinning is significant because it contributes to the absence of formal concern with societal payoffs of organizational action.  Rather, the focus of Witkin & Altschuld's model tends to be on process improvement and the achievement of the organization's goals for individuals and small groups.  Organizational payoff is assumed to flow directly from the accomplishment of these goals with external clients functioning only in the context of demand and consumption of organizational outputs.