Allen Communication Learning Services
<p><strong>Salt Lake City — Aug. 28</strong><br />Allen Communication Learning Services announces the release of its recent findings on needs assessments trending. </p><p>Allen’s data show 67 percent of all its $500,000-plus projects spanning fiscal year 2006 and into 2007 have included a vital needs assessment component. </p><p>With the rise of rapid e-learning projects and the prevalence of blended training solutions, Allen has undertaken a new study to analyze typical mishaps and failures in training projects.<br /><br />Allen’s data demonstrate that although the market demands projects to be completed faster and more simply, the confusion around what type of modality to use for training (i.e. Web, instructor-led or a blend) is now more confusing then ever. </p><p>According to the company’s research, traditional requests for proposals (RFP) rely too much on vendor assumptions with regard to levels of repurposing content and technology, content and training management and interactivity. </p><p>As a result, organizations pay a heavy price in cost overruns and missed timelines.<br /><br />In launching its rapid needs-analysis service, Allen’s goal is to help alleviate these unnecessary expenditures by helping companies discover their actual level needs based on their objectives, existing budgets and timelines. <br /><br />Based on trends of the company’s recent large projects, Allen studied the market’s move toward making needs assessments a standard process for large, mission-critical projects. </p><p>The findings show organizations generally realize close to 30 percent in time and money savings when implementing a formal needs assessment. </p><p>Because it understands smaller projects typically cannot support the cost of a traditional needs assessment, Allen has launched a rapid needs-assessment offering. </p><p>The service will dovetail Allen’s existing needs assessment services. <br /><br />“In a maturing industry, we need to move beyond excuses of scope creep and mismanaged expectations,” CEO Ron Zamir said. “Adopting a prudent approach to projects large and small will save our clients heartache, money and valuable time. We’re committed to helping our customers maximize every dollar by ensuring projects are on target from Day 1.” <br /><br />In conjunction with the launch of its rapid needs-assessment offering, Allen has released a white paper on the “ANSWER Analysis,” a method Allen has developed specifically for rapid needs analyses. </p><p>An acronym for audience, needs, successes, weaknesses, existing content and expertise and return on investment, ANSWER covers key assessment areas to consider for highly effective training solutions.</p>
