User needs analysis, or alternative user-needs analysis, combines several methods
investigation in order to assess the
tasks,
culture,
information flow and other processes of an
organization. Typically, this
data is then used to
design systems or services that help the organization.
Methods commonly used in needs analysis include:
The methods incorporated in needs analysis stem from anthropology, sociology, psychology and related sub-fields like Organizational Behavior, information science and human-computer interaction.
Ideally, needs analysis should be included at the beginning of the design process, and used in iterative design of more complex systems.