Needs Assessment for Professional Organizers

PO-101 1G Example – by Cyndi Seidler Conducting Needs Assessments Why Conduct An Assessment? To LEARN what problems exist  To DISCOVER what causes the problems.  Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com When To Do An Assessment At first visitation meeting  At start-up of a major project  At a meeting for a proposal  Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com Assessment Objectives To gather information  To clarify job perimeters  To define problem areas  To find cause of problem areas  To determine needs  To create a strategy for project  Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com Assessment Format Information gathering  Area diagnosis  Evaluation  Recommendations  Project Plan  Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com Making Observations To observe means to:  become aware of, especially through careful and directed attention.  make a systematic or scientific observation.  look and listen. Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com The Discovery Process Fact-finding from client interview or questionnaire  Observations from the walk-through  Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com Learn and Discover Find out:  Who  What  When  Where  Why Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com Assessing Problem Areas Cluttered and messy areas  Piles of homeless items  Paper clutter  Unnecessary furniture in space  Things on floor  Storage and space issues  Lack of organizing tools  Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com The Evaluation Observations  Diagnosis  Problem statement  Determinations  Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com Recommendations Task priorities  Organizing products needed  Furniture needed / not needed  Space solutions  Storage systems  Functionality  Paper flow  Aesthetics  Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com Product Solutions Browse catalogs  Use Internet  Show product portfolio  Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com Writing The Plan Recommendations  Solutions  Purchases to make  Project tools  Project sheet  Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com Taking The Next Step Client sees big picture  Client knows what needs to be done  Client understands what’s needed to carry out project  Client agrees to Project Plan  Client wants to get started with project  Cyndi Seidler HG Training Academy www.professional-organizers.com