Local needs analysis - Revision history

Editor at 07:52, 18 January 2026

2026-01-18T07:52:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:52, 18 January 2026
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	(Applied perspective on combining open data with community engagement to shape social value outcomes in the built environment)		(Applied perspective on combining open data with community engagement to shape social value outcomes in the built environment)

−	= Related articles on Designing Building ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Building =

	* Community.		* Community.

JHIllier at 17:55, 17 January 2026

2026-01-17T17:55:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:55, 17 January 2026
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	This data can provide a clear, unbiased direction for the project.		This data can provide a clear, unbiased direction for the project.
		+
		+	Further Reading:
		+
		+	UK Office for National Statistics (ONS): Explore local statistics<br />
		+	[https://www.ons.gov.uk/explore-local-statistics?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.ons.gov.uk/explore-local-statistics]<br />
		+	(Local area datasets and indicators across population, economy, health and deprivation)
		+
		+	English Indices of Deprivation (IMD)<br />
		+	[https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/english-indices-of-deprivation https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/english-indices-of-deprivation]<br />
		+	(Official UK government statistics for socio-economic baseline comparisons)
		+
		+	Akerlof: The value of local needs analysis<br />
		+	[https://www.akerlof.co.uk/insights/local_needs_analysis https://www.akerlof.co.uk/insights/local_needs_analysis]<br />
		+	(Applied perspective on combining open data with community engagement to shape social value outcomes in the built environment)

	= Related articles on Designing Building Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Building Wiki =

Designing Buildings at 07:42, 6 March 2021

2021-03-06T07:42:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:42, 6 March 2021
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	* Town planning.		* Town planning.

−	[[Category:~~Definitions~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Definition~~]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]

Designing Buildings at 06:31, 3 July 2020

2020-07-03T06:31:21Z

Editor at 18:16, 1 July 2020

2020-07-01T18:16:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:16, 1 July 2020
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−	[[File:DiverseFocusGroup.jpg]]	+	[[File:DiverseFocusGroup.jpg\|link=File:DiverseFocusGroup.jpg]]

	= Introduction =		= Introduction =
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	* Initial commissioning case studies.		* Initial commissioning case studies.
	* Local authority.		* Local authority.
−	* Town planning.
	* Needs analysis.		* Needs analysis.
		+	* Town planning.

	[[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]		[[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]

Editor at 17:44, 1 July 2020

2020-07-01T17:44:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:44, 1 July 2020
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		+	[[File:DiverseFocusGroup.jpg]]
		+
	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

Editor at 17:39, 1 July 2020

2020-07-01T17:39:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:39, 1 July 2020
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	= Related articles on Designing Building Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Building Wiki =

−	* ~~Concept~~.	+	* Community.
		+	* Community facilities.
	* Creating social value from civil engineering projects.		* Creating social value from civil engineering projects.
	* Feasibility studies for construction projects.		* Feasibility studies for construction projects.
	* Initial commissioning case studies.		* Initial commissioning case studies.
		+	* Local authority.
		+	* Town planning.
	* Needs analysis.		* Needs analysis.

	[[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]		[[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]

Editor at 17:37, 1 July 2020

2020-07-01T17:37:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:37, 1 July 2020
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	= Related articles on Designing Building Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Building Wiki =

−	* Business case for construction projects.
	* Concept.		* Concept.
	* Creating social value from civil engineering projects.		* Creating social value from civil engineering projects.

Editor: Created page with "= Introduction = A needs analysis is a systematic information gathering process that is created on behalf of an organisation in order to determine whether or not something (such..."

2020-07-01T17:35:22Z

Created page with "= Introduction = A needs analysis is a systematic information gathering process that is created on behalf of an organisation in order to determine whether or not something (such..."

New page

= Introduction =

A needs analysis is a systematic information gathering process that is created on behalf of an organisation in order to determine whether or not something (such as a project) is justified. A needs analysis is also referred to as a needs assessment, situational analysis or organisational diagnosis.

= Determining what a community needs =

A local needs analysis (also referred to as a community needs assessment) evaluates various factors within a community to identify the requirements of the area and determine an appropriate strategy for a project that may eventually translate into social value to help build stronger and more resilient neighbourhoods. One such project might be the addition of designated walking paths in an area where pedestrians or runners may feel unsafe sharing the roads with cyclists and motor vehicles.

Organisations should conduct or commission a local needs analysis before finalising a project’s strategic brief. Those involved in the local needs analysis can include community stakeholders including government officials, community activists and business owners.

= Setting goals and objectives =

A needs analysis in commercial ventures shares some similarities with a community needs assessment. In both instances, the process begins with information gathering, but in a local needs analysis, community engagement plays an important role. It is up to representatives of the community to determine the needs based on a known problem or an anticipated conflict. Then the group can establish a consensus and propose a solution.

There are usually four stages to a local needs assessment programme:

# Collection of data.
# Organisation and analysis of data.
# Presentation of results.
# Creation of action plan.

If a needs analysis justifies a specific course of action, it may be necessary to revisit the action plan if conditions change significantly. At this point a new assessment may be required to validate the continuation of the established course of action. It may also dictate a change to the original plan of action and initiate a new needs analysis.

= Representing the community =

It is important to request feedback from diverse segments of the community who may or may not be invested in the direct outcome of the project. Including people from all age ranges, genders, socio-economic backgrounds and other demographics will generate a more reliable representation of the community.

Possible tools to use for the local needs analysis may incorporate any combination of the following:

* Existing data.
* Public roundtables.
* Focus groups.
* Observation sessions.
* Surveys.
* Inventory or asset documentation.

Focus groups can play an important role in local needs assessments, since they extract feedback from across the community. Whether gathered through anonymous surveys or open public forums, this data can provide clear, unbiased direction for the project.

= Related articles on Designing Building Wiki =

* Business case for construction projects.
* Concept.
* Creating social value from civil engineering projects.
* Feasibility studies for construction projects.
* Initial commissioning case studies.
* Needs analysis.

[[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:31, 3 July 2020
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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	A needs analysis is a systematic information gathering process ~~that is created on behalf of an organisation in order~~ to determine whether or not something (such as a project) is justified. ~~A needs analysis is~~ also referred to as a needs assessment, situational analysis or organisational diagnosis.	+	A needs analysis is a systematic information gathering process carried out to determine whether or not something (such as a project) is justified. It may also be referred to as a needs assessment, situational analysis or organisational diagnosis.

	= Determining what a community needs =		= Determining what a community needs =

−	A local needs analysis (also referred to as a community needs assessment) evaluates ~~various factors within~~ a community to identify the requirements of the area and determine an appropriate strategy for a project that may ~~eventually~~ translate into social value to help build stronger and more resilient neighbourhoods. One such project might be the addition of designated walking paths in an area where pedestrians or runners may feel unsafe sharing the roads with cyclists and motor vehicles.	+	A local needs analysis (also referred to as a community needs assessment) evaluates a community to identify the requirements of the area and determine an appropriate strategy for a project that may translate into social value to help build stronger and more resilient neighbourhoods. One such project might be the addition of designated walking paths in an area where pedestrians or runners may feel unsafe sharing the roads with cyclists and motor vehicles.

−	Organisations should conduct or commission a local needs analysis before finalising a project’s strategic brief. Those involved in the local needs analysis can include community stakeholders ~~including~~ government officials, ~~community~~ activists and business owners.	+	Organisations should conduct or commission a local needs analysis before finalising a project’s strategic brief or undertaking feasibility studies. Those involved in the local needs analysis can include community stakeholders. government officials, activists and business owners.

	= Setting goals and objectives =		= Setting goals and objectives =

−	A needs analysis in commercial ventures shares some similarities with a community needs assessment. In both instances, the process begins with information gathering, but in a local needs analysis, community engagement plays an important role. It is up to representatives of the community to determine the needs based on a known ~~problem~~ or an anticipated ~~conflict~~. Then the group can establish a consensus and propose a solution.	+	A needs analysis in commercial ventures shares some similarities with a community needs assessment. In both instances, the process begins with information gathering, but in a local needs analysis, community engagement plays a more important role. It is up to representatives of the community to determine the needs based on a known or anticipated problem or opportunity. Then the group can establish a consensus and propose a solution.

	There are usually four stages to a local needs assessment programme:		There are usually four stages to a local needs assessment programme:
Line 22:		Line 22:
	# Creation of action plan.		# Creation of action plan.

−	If a needs analysis justifies a specific course of action, it may be necessary to revisit the action plan if conditions change significantly. At this point a new assessment may be required to validate the continuation of the established course of action~~. It may also dictate a change to the original plan of action and initiate a new needs analysis~~.	+	Even if a needs analysis justifies a specific course of action, it may be necessary to revisit the action plan if conditions change significantly. At this point a new assessment may be required to validate the continuation of the established course of action.

	= Representing the community =		= Representing the community =
Line 28:		Line 28:
	It is important to request feedback from diverse segments of the community who may or may not be invested in the direct outcome of the project. Including people from all age ranges, genders, socio-economic backgrounds and other demographics will generate a more reliable representation of the community.		It is important to request feedback from diverse segments of the community who may or may not be invested in the direct outcome of the project. Including people from all age ranges, genders, socio-economic backgrounds and other demographics will generate a more reliable representation of the community.

−	Possible tools to use for the local needs analysis may ~~incorporate any combination of the following~~:	+	Possible tools to use for the local needs analysis may include:

	* Existing data.		* Existing data.
Line 37:		Line 37:
	* Inventory or asset documentation.		* Inventory or asset documentation.

−	~~Focus groups can play an important role in local needs assessments, since they extract feedback from across the community. Whether gathered through anonymous surveys or open public forums, this~~ data can provide clear, unbiased direction for the project.	+	This data can provide a clear, unbiased direction for the project.

	= Related articles on Designing Building Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Building Wiki =
Line 50:		Line 50:
	* Town planning.		* Town planning.

−	[[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]	+	[[Category:Definitions]] [[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:Planning_permission]] [[Category:Cost_/_business_planning]]