What are the key features of the “world” of decision-makers that makes it challenging to translate needs assessment results into policies and programs?

Needs assessments are
intended to offer systematically gathered information that informs
decision-makers about the existence and the relative priorities among
needs. A well-conducted and well-presented needs assessment is intended
to offer evidence that is useful for decision-making. But many needs
assessments do not succeed in convincing decision-makers that the
recommendations should be translated into policies and programs.
If you have identified a program or issue that you will
be using for your evaluation project – respond to the questions below
focusing on your selected program/issue.
What are the key features of the “world” of decision-makers that
makes it challenging to translate needs assessment results into policies
and programs?
How can evaluators who are doing needs assessments respond to these challenges?
Explain the seven sections that should be included in a needs assessment report?
Who do you think offers the most valid perspective in
assessing the need for a new program or service? In other words, when
you think of possible stakeholders that could be consulted in a needs
assessment, whose perspective is most likely to be valid? Why?
Provide an example of one way in which qualitative methods can be useful in needs assessments.

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