Needs Analysis

The needs analysis is the starting point of every human centered design and raises the questions, which play a role in the planning, development and usage of digital products and services. The needs analysis focuses the needs, problems and beliefs of users, analyzes the context of application and gathers technical and organizational conditions which later build up the basis of the product development.

The needs analysis emphasizes the status quo from which the project team together with relevant target groups and the customer derives the ideal target-state. Needs analysis can be combined with different qualitative methods (e.g. contextual interviews) and quantitative methods (e.g. online surveys).

Advantages

The needs analysis is an essential part of the product development and identifies expectations and specific requirements of the target group, the context of usage and the technical and organization conditions. By the help of this information expensive undesirable development can be avoided and training- and support expenses can be saved.