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Needs Assessment and Asset/Capacity Building: A Promising Development in Practice
Author(s) -
Altschuld James W.,
Hung HsinLing Sonya,
Lee YiFang
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
new directions for evaluation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.374
H-Index - 40
eISSN - 1534-875X
pISSN - 1097-6736
DOI - 10.1002/ev.20105
Subject(s) - asset (computer security) , premise , perspective (graphical) , risk analysis (engineering) , capacity building , action (physics) , needs assessment , process management , management science , computer science , business , economics , sociology , economic growth , computer security , social science , philosophy , linguistics , physics , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence
From time to time there have been sharp and barbed criticisms of needs assessment—for example, starting from a deficit perspective (a potentially negative view based on problems and issues) as opposed to an asset‐based perspective (a more positive view based on strengths and resources). In the last 10–15 years, this has led to a hybrid model of asset/capacity building and needs assessment that is increasingly noticeable in community improvement, public safety, health, and other similar projects. Needs assessment and asset/capacity building are compared and contrasted in this chapter as a premise for synthesizing the new hybrid approach. The steps necessary for making the hybrid come to life are explained in some detail, as well as a few methods that might be used in implementing it. Two current examples of hybrid studies are analyzed, followed by implications of and issues inherent in following this new course of action.