Question

one page reaponse on task analysis and targeting

Answer 1

Task Analysis

A task analysis defines a job in terms of KSA necessary to perform daily tasks. It is a structured framework that dissects a job and arrives at a reliable method of describing it across time and people by composing a detailed listing of all the tasks. The first product of a task analysis is a task statement for each task on the list.

When writing the task statement, start each task with a verb, indicate how it is performed, and state the objective. For example, “Loads pallets using a forklift.” One way of getting a comprehensive list is to have the employees prepare their own list, starting with the most important tasks. Then, compare these lists with yours. Finally, discuss any differences with the employees, and make changes where appropriate. This helps to ensure that you have accounted for all tasks and that they are accurate. It also gets them involved in the analysis activity.

Task or needs analysis should be performed whenever there are new processes or equipment, when job performance is below standards, or when requests for changes to current training or for new training are received. An analysis helps ensure that training is the appropriate solution, rather than another performance solution.

Once the task statement has been defined, the task analysis will then go into further detail by describing the:

task frequency

difficulty of learning

importance to train

task criticality

task difficulty

overall task importance

This in turn provides you with the information for identifying the KSA required for successful task performance. The analysis might also go into further detail by describing the task steps required to perform the task.

There are a wide variety of methods for performing a task analysis, such as observations, interviews, and questionnaires.

Hierarchical Task Analysis

Most task analyses follow this method. Steps are arranged in the order they are performed. For example, a production worker might have the following task steps:

Package products as they come off the production line.

Place product in shrink-wrap.

Run product through heat-shrink.

Place product in package.

Glue ends of package together.

Place label on front of package.

Place on finished line.

It is not always easy to identify what a task step is as experts often group several steps into a larger one. For example, they might list “open the daily receiving spreadsheet file,” instead of 1) start computer, 2) open spreadsheet program, 3) etc. If you are going to use the task steps for training purposes, then you are going to have to identify your target population. This will tell you how detailed the steps need to be. For example, if your target population is computer literate, then the expert's combined step might be appropriate, otherwise, you might have to break it into several smaller steps. There is no one right way to list steps as each circumstance will differ. This is why the first part of an analysis is crucial — to determine what type of information is needed and who your target population is.

If possible, steps should include the signs of success. This is how experts know when they've done something right. Carpenters look for edges to be aligned, while plumbers ensure there are no leaks. When you know this kind of event, you can help the learners ensure that they are doing things correctly.

Targeting in marketing is a strategy that breaks a large market into smaller segments to concentrate on a specific group of customers within that audience. It defines a segment of customers based on their unique characteristics and focuses solely on serving them.

Instead of trying to reach an entire market, a brand uses target marketing to put their energy into connecting with a specific, defined group within that market.

The types of target markets are often segmented by characteristics such as:

Demographics: age, gender, education, marital status, race, religion, etc.

Psychographics: values, beliefs, interests, personality, lifestyle, etc.

Business Industry: business industry or vertical

Geographic Areas: neighborhood, area code, city, region, country, etc.