CONDUCTING A TASK ANALYSIS
Beebe, Mottet, & Roach Chapter 3
Task
Analysis
A task analysis is a detailed step-bystep outline of the behaviors and
knowledge needed to perform a
desired task.
Two Key
Elements
When creating a task analysis, it is
important to do two things:
1. Specify the necessary skills
2. Organize them in the order in
which they need to be taught
A Blueprint of What to Do
A task analysis is like a blueprint
of what trainees need to do to
perform the task in question.
Examples of Communication Tasks
◦ Designing a web page
◦ Running a meeting
◦ Increasing social media engagement
◦ Conducting a job interview
◦ Closing a sale for a product or service
◦ Building a supportive climate on a team
◦ Managing conflict
◦ Giving troubling news or information
◦ Making a group decision
◦ Writing a press release
◦ Setting boundaries in a relationship
◦ Managing the organization’s image in crisis
◦ Diversifying your social network
◦ Apologizing after offending an associate
◦ Navigating a business dinner with a client
◦ Managing risk in organizational decisions
◦ Meeting a client from another culture
◦ Reaching a compromise during a stalemate
Steps to Prepare
a Task Analysis
1. Become knowledgeable about the skill or
behaviors you are teaching.
2. Identify the sequence of major behaviors
needed to perform a skill.
3. Add detail to each of the major steps to
provide a comprehensive description of how
to perform the skills.
◦
knowledge needed
◦
strategies to be used
◦
attitudes to be nurtured
Key Sources of
Information
◦ Job description for the individuals you are
training
◦ Conduct research (e.g., journal articles,
communication textbooks, trade books)
◦ Consult a subject matter expert (SME)
Exercise 1
◦ Identify a communication task in which the
members of your client organization need
improvement, according to your needs
assessment so far. If you cannot identify a
task yet, choose one that could be an area of
improvement for your client’s members.
◦ Using UD Discover, have each team
member find one peer-reviewed journal
article that provide information relating to the
performance of your task. Capture the
information in your notes. Discuss how to
translate it into practical insight.
Exercise 2
◦ Identify a communication task in which the
members of your client organization need
improvement, according to your needs
assessment so far. If you cannot identify a task
yet, choose one that could be an area of
improvement for your client’s members.
◦ Now, see what information you can find on the
web about the task or skills needed to perform
the task. Capture the information your find in
notes. Remember to consider the credibility of
the source. Business publications like Harvard
Business Review, Forbes, or Business Insider
might be good starting places.
Exercise 3
◦ Identify a communication task in which the
members of your client organization need
improvement, according to your needs
assessment so far. If you cannot identify a
task yet, choose one that could be an area of
improvement for your client’s members.
◦ Now, make a list of subject matter experts
on campus who might provide information
about the task or some related skill. Think
about your professors. Who could interview
whom to gain information about the
skill/task?