1. Task Selection Example

Purpose:

To determine if a task should be trained. The first four sections are used to determine if it should be trained. The last two sections will be of aid in selecting the type of training. Depending on the task, not all questions require an answer.

TASK: Move a load with a forklift.

1. Required by law, safety factors, and organizational requirements

• Does the Occupational Safety and Health Act mandate the training? Yes
• Is there a chance that someone may be hurt or that damages may occur if it is not trained? Yes
• Is training needed to ensure their behaviour does not compromise the company's legal position, i.e., equal employment opportunity, labour relations laws, or state laws? Yes
• Is training required to meet an organizational vision or mission? Yes (mission) – Provide a safe working environment for all personnel.
• Is the training required to meet company goals or objectives? No

Generally, any "yes" answers in this section require training or another performance initiative.

Analyst’s recommendation: Training must be provided.

2. Use of another performance initiative

• Is there another solution, such as a job performance aid or self-study packet?  Yes, part of the training will use a self-study packet to reduce classroom-training time.
• Can people be hired that have already been trained?  Yes, but we try to promote from within and training must be provided by law.
• To what extent can the task be learned on the job?  Training will only be provided to ensure they know how to operate safely. The rest of the training will be provided on the job.
• Are the demands (perceptual, cognitive, psychomotor or physical) imposed by the task excessive?  They require good perception (must be able to place loads 40 feet in the air) and they require some manual dexterity to manipulate the controls. Also, they must stand for a long period on a moving platform that vibrates quite hard at times (standup forklifts). 
• Are other performance interventions required? None at this time.
• Is there another creative solution that better meets the organization’s needs? (brainstorming is required to answer this question correctly)

Another performance solution is generally recommended if it is cheaper or if it better meets the organization's needs. 

Analyst’s recommendations: A self-study packet will be used, followed by a brief class, demonstrations, and then practice and evaluation.

3. Risks and benefits

• What will happen if we do not train for this task?  Accidents are likely to occur.
• What are the benefits if we train this task?  We will meet OSHA’s requirements.
• How critical is the task?  Very – must be trained to meet distribution requirements.
• What is the consequence if the task is performed incorrectly?  Accidents are likely to occur.

Identifying the risks and benefits helps in arriving at the correct solution.

Analyst’s recommendations: Training required

4. Task complexity

• How difficult or complex is the task?  Moderate.
• How often is the task performed during a specified time frame (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, yearly)? Throughout the day.
• How much time is needed to perform this task?  Normal task completion is about 7 minutes, however, it is performed throughout the day on a continuous basis.
• What behaviours are used in its performance?  Coordinate movement of material with other personnel works without supervision, and perform basic math.
• How critical is the task to the performance of the job?  Extremely critical.
• What information is needed to perform the task?  Name of item, quantity, and location. What is the source of information? Receiving paperwork, put-away sheets, and letdown sheets.

Generally, complex and frequently performed tasks require training, while simpler and infrequently performed tasks require other performance solutions (such as job performance aids).

5. Collective (team considerations)

• Does the execution of the task require coordination between other personnel or with other tasks?  Must work with receivers and pickers to ensure material is in its designated position at the correct time.
• If it is one of a set of collective tasks, what is the relationship between the various tasks?

Although identifying the collective degree of the task plays a small amount in deciding if a task should be trained, it is a determining factor in deciding how it will be trained.

6. Requirements for training 

• What are the performance requirements?  The material must be located correctly so that it can be found when needed.
• What prerequisite skills, knowledge, and abilities are required to perform the task?  Basic math skills, knowledge of warehousing operations, and the ability to operate machinery.
• What behaviours distinguish good performers from poor performers?  Accuracy and being able to operate safely.
• What level of task proficiency would be expected by the department following training?  Being able to operate a forklift safely.