Behovsanalyse

Behovsanalyse, also known as needs analysis, is a systematic process for identifying and documenting the needs and expectations of users, customers, or other stakeholders, and for assessing gaps between current performance and desired outcomes. The goal is to inform decision making, prioritize requirements, and guide the design of solutions that deliver the greatest value.

The process typically begins with scoping: clarifying objectives, stakeholders, and success criteria. This is followed by data collection through interviews, surveys, workshops, observations, and document analysis. Needs are analyzed to distinguish between current problems, latent needs, and desired outcomes, and are often framed as statements or problems to be solved. Techniques such as gap analysis, root-cause analysis, or jobs-to-be-done can be used, and needs are then prioritized according to impact, feasibility, and urgency. The resulting outputs usually include a needs statement, a prioritized set of requirements or user stories, and a plan for validation with stakeholders.

Deliverables commonly include a requirements specification, use cases or user stories, success criteria, and a business case or project brief that links needs to expected benefits and costs. The analysis serves as a foundation for solution design, procurement, and project governance, helping to reduce scope creep and ensure alignment among stakeholders.

Behovanalyse is applied across domains such as product development, information technology, organizational change, education and public services. Its effectiveness depends on robust stakeholder involvement, rigorous data collection, and transparent prioritization, while recognizing that needs can evolve over time and translation into concrete requirements can introduce bias.