In other words, properly identifying what learners need to know, or know how to do, prior to development helps ensure instructions achieve the associated goals.

It can help you to think about how you will use the information gathered in the analysis phase, during design and development (Elkins & Ward, 2015). An analysis should ideally assess varying levels of the organization, intended audience, and learning environment or conditions.

Another benefit of conducting a thorough analysis is that you can better guarantee that instructions address the related problem or need. For example, imagine that a call center suddenly experiences an increase in dropped calls by their agents. Instructions will not resolve the problem if the root cause is faulty equipment, poor network connection, etc. Instructions can, however, help agents recognize their duties for providing support and handling calls.

Assistance with decision making

One of the greatest advantages of analysis is understanding the problem or need. By doing so, you are better equipped to choose the best solution for your needs. After an analysis helps determine whether instructions can address a need, you can continue to examine an approach to design and development.

As an example, a game-based simulation may not be appropriate for a conventional financial institution, while a multinational organization may not be appropriate for live webinars due to time conflicts (Elkins & Ward, 2015).

An analysis should also help identify a variety of opportunities and needs, including making decisions regarding:

• The “voice,” style, or overall branding demonstrated by instructions in elements like the interface (online learning solutions), graphical elements, and verbiage or rhetoric.
• The most appropriate format for providing instructions, not limited to instructor-led offerings, online courses, virtual instructor-led training, etc.
• Approach to supporting learners after completing instructions (learning transfer).
• Additional resources and costs associated with design, development and providing instructions.
• What, or who, is needed for ongoing support and maintenance.
• Any applicable prerequisites needed for an effective learning experience.
• The level of autonomy learners can and should have.
• Considerations for the learning environment and intended audience.

Conclusion

Your analysis should aim to identify both the problem or need and what causes it. This helps to ensure the problem or need is “treated” effectively, which instructions cannot always do.

*Analysis is the second phase of the Dick and Carey Model.

Elkins, D., & Ward, D. (2015). E-learning fundamentals: A practical guide. ATD Press.

“Analysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analysis. Accessed 12 Sep. 2023.