What is a needs analysis and why do we need one?

You would not start building a house until you decide how many rooms you need, the number of bathrooms, whether the house needs to be air conditioned, the size of the family room and other important attributes.  You also need to do the same before you build a new business system.  

Defining what you need is the basis of the Needs Analysis.  We gather this information by interviewing key personnel about the way you do business.  Then someone needs to compile these needs in to a document that can be reviewed by all members of the steering committee.

The steering committee needs to be honest and thorough.  Review the needs analysis and correct it were appropriate.