Cause-Effect Diagram

A cause-effect diagram—also known as a fishbone diagram because its resemblance to a fish skeleton (see Exhibit 1 below)—is used to systematically collect a group’s ideas about the root causes of a problem/need. It is a quality improvement tool developed by Karoru Ishikawa that graphically depicts the relationship between symptoms or problem/need under investigation and the factors or causes driving it. A cause-effect diagram provides a systematic approach to efficiently and effectively analyze a problem/need and its root causes. A cause-effect diagram can help you to organize the ideas generated from a brainstorming session and to determine both the primary and the secondary (and even tertiary) causes of a problem/need.

Competency Analysis

Competency Analysis in Human Performance Technology involves breaking down key jobs and roles within an organization into specific internal capabilities or competencies and matching those competencies to the individual expected to perform the job through hiring efforts or improvement efforts. The core competencies identified for each job are then used to recruit ideal candidates through the hiring process, and to inform professional development practices and employee evaluations for existing employees in an effort to improve the organization and achieve its goals.

Critical Incident Technique (CIT)

Critical Incident Technique (CIT) is a qualitative research method that by today's standard is considered an effective investigative tool for observing human behavior.

Document Review

Document review is a systematic review of program documents (e.g., program implementation plans, training materials, policy and procedure manuals, monitoring forms, progress reports) in order to develop an impression about the implementation of a program, process, activities and outcomes and identify strengths, challenges, and needs in the context of performance analysis. Document review focuses on critically analyzing content within documents rather than simply describing the content.

The Five Whys Technique

The five whys technique is a simple yet powerful variation on the cause-and-effect analysis method. It is an investigation of hierarchical symptoms to ultimately arrive at underlying causes. By repeatedly asking "Why?", users can identify root causes and countermeasures.

PESTLE Analysis

PESTLE analysis, also referred to as PEST, is a strategic planning and management tool used to assess an organization’s wider environment. It represents a systems approach to planning by analyzing six aspects impacting performance: political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental.

Pre-Job Briefing

A pre-job briefing ensures that management and potential workers understand the scope of the work to be performed by discussing the tasks involved.

The job aid is an actual sample from a work site providing a safety briefing.

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Process Flowcharting

Process Flowcharting converts individual events, tasks, or activities into a visual representation to illustrate logical relationships and workflows. Constructing flowcharts supports improvement efforts by promoting understanding of how processes work in an easily recognizable format. Images or shapes can be used for flowcharting efforts, including universal formats including boxes, diamonds, arrows, and lines.

Surveys

Surveys are powerful tools for HPT practitioners to collect targeted qualitative and quantitative data for analysis. With a variety of tools and templates readily available online, a carefully designed survey with a clear goal in mind can provide valuable insight and critical data in a short amount of time.