What is the Learning Need? The simplest way to think about this is in terms of a “gap analysis.” In this approach, the learning designer needs to know two things: The desired outcome - the level of knowledge or skill that the learners should know or be capable of and the present levels of knowledge or skill. The “need” is to bridge the gap between where the learners are now and where you want them to be after instruction. This approach is frequently described as a “gap analysis” or “needs analysis.” 

Notice that the focus here is on performance or knowledge - not on how you get there. The main purpose at this step is to determine the gap.