Thanks to Jane Hutton, Jay Warner and Bernd Genser for their
replies to my query (see below). Nobody knew of a generic needs
assessment tool that would be appropriate.
One suggested approach is to record the actual approaches to
external consultation over time. This would pick up on perceived
need for support, but may not be possible in such a dispersed
organisation. As stated in the forwarded message below, the
manager is particularly concerned that statistical support that would
be valuable for some areas of work is not "understood to be
required".
Tackling the problem from a slightly different angle, Jane
recommended:
R A Parker, SiM 2000, 19:2132-2145 "Estimating the value of an
internal biostatistical consulting service"
which has useful insights into the value of R&D support.
Thanks again to the responders,
Andy
ORIGINAL QUERY
As a profession, statisticians often comment that employers do not
recognise the many benefits of statistical support. Following
discussion with a local health provider, I received the following
request. It seems a reasonable request, but I am not aware of any
tool designed to elicit the (perhaps unrecognised) statistical
support needs of an organisation.
This organisation recognises some need, suspects a greater need,
but doesn't know whether to buy in occasional support or fund full
time post(s).
Does anyone know of such a tool, have suggestions on how to
proceed or explanations why such a tool would be infeasible? Is
there any short-cut to trying to develop a fuller understanding of the
organisation's activities?
I will of course summarise responses for the list.
Many thanks,
Andy
------- Forwarded message follows -------
I would also be grateful if at all
possible you would set out questions that we can use to determine
what kind (and perhaps level) of stats support our organisation
needs from you and partners as discussed. Just during the last two
day I have been in meetings with senior managers where it was
discussed that statistical support or analysis would be required
and I am not reassured that we either have skills in the relevant
teams and/or indeed that the right support is given, accessed or
understood to be required. I am really looking to see if you (or
perhaps in the stats community) there is a tool/questionnaire or the
like that can help us assess the need (not just the explicit demand). I
guess questions will have to be done in a way that does not
presume a
knowledge of given stats techniques or applications. Hope this
makes
sense and that you are able to access this type of tool or able to reel
off some diagnostic questions we can put out into the organisation
and our independent contractors (GP, Dentists etc. )
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