The harsh reality that faces many designers is that even though ISD practitioners know the importance of analysis, a majority of clients and others outside the profession have very little interest in the process and even less inclination to allocate the resources of time and money necessary to do it correctly. That being said, analysis is almost always performed and usually by any means necessary, which often involves "borrowing" from other resources to gather the data needed.

Seven key questions require answers during analysis. By addressing each of these questions, instructional designers ensure that they gather all the data they are likely to need as they work their way through the ADDIE system. The questions also help designers check that they have focused on all the possible aspects of the course under consideration. In short, these questions serve as a reality check:

1. What is the need?

2. What is the root cause?

3. What are the goals of the training?

4. What information is needed, and how is it gathered?

5. How will the training be structured and organized?

6. How will the training be delivered?

7. When should training be revised?