Have Team Members Identify the Tasks

performing that task. "Operate the primary coolant system" may be at

too high a level, especially in a complex facility, because each step

involved in operating that system (e.g., "start-up the system," "maintain

the system in steady-state," "shut-down the system," etc.) would

themselves be so complex that they should be considered the tasks.

Perhaps in a smaller facility with few components involved in the system

the task "operate the xyz system" would be written at an appropriate

level. Typically, "operate" is not a good verb to use in a task statement

unless it is an actual occupational task (e.g., a warehouse worker whose

job does not involve many tasks might have the task "operate a

forklift").

You must be an expert at writing good task statements and recognizing

the appropriate task "level" in order to guide the team. You must help

them apply the criteria for tasks and criteria for task statements.

Have Team Members Identify the Tasks

To identify the tasks performed within each duty area, employ a

combination of Nominal Group Technique (NGT), procedural review,

Using Nominal

and verification analysis. We suggest the use of pure NGT

Group Technique and

(brainstorming without referring to existing materials) to begin with,

consensus decision-

until the team establishes a consistent level at which to write task

making techniques,

statements. (Otherwise, since most procedures and other documents are

have team members

written at inconsistent levels, the team may become confused and

identify the tasks by:

- brainstorming

frustrated.) Once the team feels comfortable with identifying tasks at a

- looking at the

consistent level, allow them to use the available job information--

procedures

procedures, existing task lists, and other materials relevant to the job

- verification

position--AS they do their NGT to identify the tasks involved in the job.

analysis (using an

The order in which you use these processes (brainstorming followed by

existing task list)

procedural review or vice-versa) is left to your discretion as the

Facilitator. Because you will have reviewed the available job

information prior to the seminar, you will know which method(s) will be

most efficient and result in the most accurate task list.

The first duty area in which you focus attention should be an area

Start with a duty area

wherein the tasks are fairly easy to delineate. Use NGT to have team

in which the tasks

members identify the tasks within this duty area.

will be easy to

identify

Table-Top Job Analysis

Rev 1: December 22, 1994

Facilitator Guide

5480.20 Seminar Series

122