Question 1

There are many alternatives to training when solving performance problems.Identify and briefly describe three such alternatives.

Accepted Answer

Three alternatives to training for solving performance problems are:(1)feedback-give employees performance feedback so they can compare their performance to their goal and regulate their own behaviour and performance;
(2)goal setting-help the employee set performance goals that are specific and challenging as a way of increasing their motivation; and(3)practice-if it is a skill the employee has not used in some time,instead of formal training they might just require some practice to refresh their skills.
Students may indeed identify other alternative issues causing the gap in performance,including but not limited to rewards not congruent with desired behaviour,management practices,job design,etc.

Question 2

What is the main difference between a traditional task analysis and a team task analysis

Accepted Answer

A)  A traditional task analysis depends on job descriptions whereas a team task analysis depends on competencies.
B)  A team task analysis relies on an organization being a certain size in order to be relevant and useful.
C)  A traditional task analysis is usually applicable to lower level jobs on the organizational chart and not management.
D)  A team task analysis identifies the interdependencies of the job and the skills required for task coordination. D

Question 3

One of your colleagues is somewhat confused about the distinction between skills and competencies.You decide to provide your colleague with a concise explanation.Which of the following statements would best capture the distinction between these two terms

Accepted Answer

A)  competencies are the same as skills
B)  negotiating a collective agreement is an example of a skill, while competencies are universal in scope such as winning agreement on goals and expectations
C)  competencies are related to knowledge and tend to be narrow in scope
D)  skills are behaviours that are not observable, while competencies must be observable B

Question 4

The needs analysis is often referred to as the most important step in the training and development process.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Only senior management must buy into the needs analysis process to ensure that the data collection will result in accurate information and that they have a vested interest in the success of the program.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which data collection method is expensive to use but allows for on-the-spot synthesis of different viewpoints via two-way communication

Accepted Answer

A)  the quick needs analysis
B)  group discussion
C)  questionnaires
D)  key consultation

Question 7

Which of the following does NOT align with the notion of a strong "learning culture"

Accepted Answer

A)  an executive placing significant resources toward organizational learning
B)  workers at all levels of an organization who see knowledge and skill acquisition as part of their job responsibilities
C)  learning transfer is central to a strong learning culture
D)  a culture focused primarily on formalized learning processes

Question 8

According to the textbook,a person analysis attempts to answer a series of questions.Which of the following questions is NOT associated with a person analysis

Accepted Answer

A)  Are the resources available to train?
B)  How well does the employee perform the job?
C)  Who needs training?
D)  What kind of training is needed?

Question 9

A task analysis reveals the tasks required for a person to perform a job and the knowledge,skills,and abilities (KSAs)that are required to perform the tasks successfully.When done well,it often has five interrelated steps.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

A)  stakeholder consultation
B)  organizational analysis
C)  task analysis
D)  person analysis

Question 11

Which statement would NOT be considered an "itch" according to the needs analysis model

Accepted Answer

A)  ABC Inc. notices an increase in customer complaints
B)  ABC Inc. notices a decrease in productivity across all its business units
C)  ABC Inc. is faced with decreasing revenues and increasing costs
D)  ABC Inc. notices a decrease in employee absenteeism

Question 12

The traditional approach to a cognitive task analysis focuses on behaviours rather than the mental processes such as decision making.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Questionnaires,structured interviews,and observation are techniques used in a task analysis to survey a sample of job incumbents.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Organizational climate refers to the collective attitudes of its employees toward work,supervision,and company goals,policies,and procedures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Outline the differences between a cognitive task analysis and a team task analysis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Outline the differences between a cognitive task...

Question 16

Competencies are clusters of related knowledge,skills,and abilities that differentiate effective performers from ineffective performers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

At Company ABC,the lack of which of the following elements is an example of a structural barrier to effective performance

Accepted Answer

A)  appropriate performance measurements
B)  supportive reward systems
C)  clarity around roles and responsibilities
D)  tools and equipment to do their jobs

Question 18

According to the textbook,which important step in the needs analysis process is the most extensive,potentially leading organizations to skip it

Accepted Answer

A)  a culture and climate audit of the organization
B)  a task and person analysis
C)  data collection at three levels: organizational, task, and person
D)  being clear on the nature of the actual "itch"

Question 19

Teamwork competencies include things such as how to communicate,interact,and coordinate tasks effectively with team members,which can be identified by conducting a team analysis.From a training perspective,what are these competencies primarily used for

Accepted Answer

A)  to communicate to stakeholders the importance of team competencies
B)  to lead teams through discussions to identify key new themes and goals that everyone can accept and use as part of the training program
C)  to attain buy-in from stakeholders to secure appropriate funding
D)  to serve as the basis for writing training objectives and provides guidance on program design

Question 20

Identify and briefly describe the three steps in the person analysis process.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify and briefly describe the three steps...

Exam 4: The Needs Analysis Process

There are many alternatives to training when solving performance problems.Identify and briefly describe three such alternatives.

What is the main difference between a traditional task analysis and a team task analysis

One of your colleagues is somewhat confused about the distinction between skills and competencies.You decide to provide your colleague with a concise explanation.Which of the following statements would best capture the distinction between these two terms

The needs analysis is often referred to as the most important step in the training and development process.

Only senior management must buy into the needs analysis process to ensure that the data collection will result in accurate information and that they have a vested interest in the success of the program.

Which data collection method is expensive to use but allows for on-the-spot synthesis of different viewpoints via two-way communication

Which of the following does NOT align with the notion of a strong "learning culture"

According to the textbook,a person analysis attempts to answer a series of questions.Which of the following questions is NOT associated with a person analysis

A task analysis reveals the tasks required for a person to perform a job and the knowledge,skills,and abilities (KSAs)that are required to perform the tasks successfully.When done well,it often has five interrelated steps.

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

Which statement would NOT be considered an "itch" according to the needs analysis model

The traditional approach to a cognitive task analysis focuses on behaviours rather than the mental processes such as decision making.

Questionnaires,structured interviews,and observation are techniques used in a task analysis to survey a sample of job incumbents.

Organizational climate refers to the collective attitudes of its employees toward work,supervision,and company goals,policies,and procedures.

Outline the differences between a cognitive task analysis and a team task analysis.

Competencies are clusters of related knowledge,skills,and abilities that differentiate effective performers from ineffective performers.

At Company ABC,the lack of which of the following elements is an example of a structural barrier to effective performance

According to the textbook,which important step in the needs analysis process is the most extensive,potentially leading organizations to skip it

Teamwork competencies include things such as how to communicate,interact,and coordinate tasks effectively with team members,which can be identified by conducting a team analysis.From a training perspective,what are these competencies primarily used for

Identify and briefly describe the three steps in the person analysis process.