Question

Johnathan, a training specialist, is undertaking a needs analysis for an organization. He is attempting to determine which specific jobs in the organization are contributing to a specific "itch." What step in the needs analysis process is Johnathan most likely performing?

a) Organizational analysis
b) Person analysis
c) Task analysis
d) Environmental analysis

Answer 1

Johnathan is performing a task analysis to identify which specific jobs contribute to an organizational issue. This involves observing employees, conducting surveys, and interviews to understand job requirements and is integral to creating accurate job descriptions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Johnathan, a training specialist engaging in a needs analysis, is most likely performing a task analysis. The goal of this step is to determine the specific jobs within the organization that require attention to address a particular issue, often referred to as an "itch". A task analysis involves the process of identifying and understanding the tasks, duties, and responsibilities of a specific job. This typically includes observing proficient employees, conducting surveys, and interviews with current job holders and their supervisors to get a detailed understanding of the job requirements.

In industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology, this process is crucial for crafting effective job descriptions and identifying the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for employees to succeed in their roles. Therefore, the correct answer to the multiple-choice question is c) Task analysis, which is focused on the individual job and its contribution to organizational issues.