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Would you tell me if using the article a adds anything to the sentence's meaning below?
Before fixing it right away, I suggest we do assessment of the problem first.
Before fixing it right away, I suggest we do an assessment of the problem first.
According to online dictionaries, assessment can be used both as a countable and uncountable noun, so I supposed both my sentences are correct. I'd like to know if there is any difference in meaning and if both are perfectly natural.
No, in your example sentence, the article is required.
The noun "assessment" is only uncountable when the meaning is the general concept of assessment. It's countable when referring to a specific instance of assessment or a particular assessment procedure to follow.
In your example, it's a specific instance of an assessment procedure.
Here's an example close to the meaning of your sentence without an article:
Before fixing this right away, I suggest doing (some) assessment first.
This doesn't mean performing a specific procedure, but doing assessment in general, which may include several assessment procedures.
FWIW, the most natural way of wording your sentence is using the verb "assess":
Before fixing it right away, I suggest we assess the problem first.
No, it cannot be an uncountable noun in the way that you're using it. Here is how it could be used as an uncountable noun:
Assessment of taxes is usually done by a licensed professional.
When "assessment" is used as in your sentence, it can only be a countable noun:
Before fixing it right away, I suggest we do an assessment of the problem first.
