All potential users of the technology should participate, including instructional and administrative staff and students.
Most needs arise from users , the people who use the technology as a tool to do their jobs.
Typically your users are the instructional or administrative staff simply trying to provide effective instruction or efficient administrative support. They may not have a full grasp of technology, but they are the experts in what they need every day on the job. Many technology initiatives fail because they have been designed for users, but without their crucial input. Administrators are an important group of users who should participate in a needs assessment. Administrators generally need summary information at a broader level of detail than their staffs.