behoeftespeiling

Behoeftespeiling is a systematic process to identify and analyze the needs, preferences, and priorities of a defined group or population, with the aim of informing decision making, policy development, service design, or product development. It seeks to determine what is required, for whom, and to what extent, distinguishing essential needs from desirable ones.

The term is Dutch, combining behoefte (need) and peiling or speiling (survey or poll). In practice, het behorende proces functions as a needs assessment or needs analysis used in public, private, and non-profit contexts to guide planning and investments.

The process typically includes problem definition, stakeholder mapping, and data collection through qualitative and quantitative methods such as interviews, focus groups, surveys, workshops, and observations. Data are analyzed and prioritized, resulting in a needs map or a set of user requirements to inform strategies, programs, or products. Methods from user research, market analysis, and participatory design are commonly applied.

Applications span multiple sectors. In local government, it may identify social or housing needs; in healthcare, community health needs; in education, gaps in services or curricula; and in product development, alignment of offerings with user requirements and preferences.

Benefits and challenges: annual or ongoing beh0eftespeiling can improve resource alignment, legitimacy, and user-centered outcomes. Challenges include achieving representativeness, mitigating bias, and balancing cost with usefulness. High-quality data collection and clear prioritization are essential for reliable results. Related concepts include needs assessment, market research, user research, and service design.