4: Training Needs Analysis by Task

4 Training Needs Analysis by Task

In order to specify training needs very precisely, it may be worthwhile analysing jobs task by task.

Gwyneth, in her efforts to identify the training needs of the workteam:

• read the job descriptions very carefully;

• talked to each member of the workteam in some depth about what they actually did, what they needed to know and what skills they felt they were lacking;

• observed them in action over a period of time and learned as much as she could about the workteam's duties and activities.

At the end of all this, she felt that she understood the training needs of most workteam members and she took steps to get the appropriate training organized.

However, there was still one job that she was uncertain about that of the receptionist, Debbie Wilson. Debbie worked alone, outside the main office, and so it wasn't so easy for Gwyneth to observe her in action. Gwyneth decided she would have to sit down with Debbie for a period and record what she did and how well she did it. She would then list every task that Debbie carried out.

Gwyneth used the following chart to record her findings.