Guidelines for Listing Tasks

TeamOJT Tip of the Month for May, 2008

The goal of a job task analysis is to end up with a list of tasks that define the job. When producing a task list, here are eight guidelines that will prove helpful:

1. Begin each task with an action verb.
   

   The job task selected for analysis and each task in the task list should begin with a word that identifies the specific behavior or action to be accomplished. Avoid ambiguous or "fuzzy" verbs and phrases that don't precisely describe the work to be done. For example, replace vague verbs such as "know," "be familiar with," or "understand" with more measurable actions, such as "explain." identify," or "describe" as in "explain the safety features."

   Some common action verbs are:
   allocate, load, measure, monitor, notify, organize, clean, enter, start, etc.

2. Follow each action verb with an object.
   

   The object is the recipient of the specific behavior or action. For example, "determine account status" or "install fasteners" describes an action and its recipient.

3. Don't list tasks that overlap other tasks.
   

   For example, "perform postoperative patient care" would overlap "take and record vital signs."

4. Use brainstorming to identify tasks and the requisite skills and knowledge.
   

   List tasks in any order on the flipchart or whiteboard.

5. Don't break down tasks any further during brainstorming.
   

   Your goal is to break down tasks into chunks suitable for training. Once you have a basic list of tasks, go back over each task and ask yourself if the task can be taught and learned in about a half hour. If the answer for any task is "no," take the task(s) and break it down into smaller tasks. The trick here is to avoid doing this further breakdown of tasks until you have your initial listing. This practice assures that you don't get bogged down unnecessarily at the beginning. (Save further breakdown for later.)

6. List as many tasks as possible.
   

   Strive for 80 to 85 percent completeness. There will always be tasks that were forgotten initially and you can add them at any time.

7. Don't assume too high a level of knowledge for trainees.
   

   Always assume the lowest level of skill and knowledge when in doubt.

8. Tape flipchart sheets to the wall so that all tasks can be viewed at once.
   

   If you use a whiteboard, make sure there is enough room for all tasks to be displayed together. This will help avoid redundancy.

 

 

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