What is...A Job Task Analysis

Recently I finished working on producing and tabulating a Job Task Analysis pertaining to Crime Scene Investigators, specifically looking at how applicable our training was to real life tasks.

What is a Job Task Analysis

• Inventory of tasks related to daily work
• People from the field are asked to rate the tasks according to Importance (how task relates to success in job) and Frequency (how often task is done)
• Using a likert scale tasks are rated from 1 - 5 (1 being least important to 5 being most important)

Why is it important?

• A job task analysis can measure the relevance of job specific training
• Reveals what the most important tasks are to know and understand how to do
• Reveals what tasks are done more frequently
• Each task can illustrate a different depth of knowledge for a given task, therefore showing what depth to teach to E.g. demonstrating, synthesizing, analysizing (Bloom's Taxonomy)

Who uses a job task analysis?

• Trainers - to create occupation training
  
• Teachers - to illustrate depth of knowledge needed
  
• Universities and professors - to validate curriculum

** Large companies typically have the resources to create, publish, and distribute job task analysis. These can be extremely useful to ensure quality training for employees.

The Bottom Line of JTA

• Must have a job inventory of tasks large enough to cover a wide range of activities
• Must distribute job task analysis to enough people to ensure validity and reliability
  
• Tabulation can take large amounts of time
• After distribution at least 1/3 of those who participated in JTA should assemble to discuss tasks to make sure language used is clear and speaks accurately to daily work