Through needs assessment, departments can plan and create programs and learning opportunities for students, intended to meet the needs of the students.
Needs assessment can fulfill two primary functions:
Satisfaction assessment allows departments to determine how satisfied students (or others) are with the programs and services that are offered. Satisfaction assessment "provide[s] important [information about] students', and other consumers', experience on campus" (Valdosta State University, Division of Student Affairs, 2007).
Satisfaction assessment seeks to determine:
"Through assessment of satisfaction, we also seek to identify strengths and weaknesses of our programs, services, and facilities," (Valdosta State University, Division of Student Affairs, 2007).