Step 3 - Identify Duty Areas cont'd

of it becoming unmanageable. In this case, it would have been better to

select duty areas based on "building."

It may be difficult to determine the best way to select duty areas in

advance. Once the team starts identifying tasks, if it seems there may be a

problem like the one explained above, suggest that the team identify

duty areas in a different way. (Note: When you are preparing for the

seminar, if you use the information the Coordinator sends you in

advance to identify possible duty areas and task statements, you may be

able to avoid this potential problem.) CAUTION: Do not "scare" the

participants by explaining this potential problem. Just let them know, in

a positive tone, that the team can always revise the duty areas, if needed,

later in the process.

Be aware that when the team begins this step, the members may be

Provide plenty of

unsure of themselves and need considerable guidance. For example, the

guidance and

team may have difficulty distinguishing between task statements and duty

reassurance

areas. Remind the team of the definition of duty area and that there are

typically five to twelve duty areas involved in most DOE occupations.

Each duty area can generally be broken down into 15-20 task statements.

Technique: To begin identifying the duty areas, use the Nominal Group

Use NGT to identify

duty areas

Technique by asking the team members to privately generate and write

down their ideas for what duty areas are involved in the job. Provide

During round robin,

several minutes of quiet thinking time. Then, in a round robin style, ask

record answers on

each person to state one of the duty areas they wrote. (A round robin

flipchart

involves each person taking a turn to state one suggestion from his/her

list; the next person states one suggestion, and so on until all persons

have made one suggestion; then the first person states a second

suggestion from his/her list, etc.) Record their answers on the flipchart,

alternating with two different-colored markers. If a duty area has been

suggested, the next person should state another duty area or "pass" to the

next person. Remind team members that if someone else's suggestion

stimulates another thought, they are welcome to add to their list.

Continue the round robin until all team members have had an

opportunity to exhaust their list. Initially, it is important for you to

record their ideas on the flipchart, even though you are aware that

revisions may occur.

Table-Top Job Analysis

Rev 1: December 22, 1994

Facilitator Guide

5480.20 Seminar Series

117