WorkPlace Mentor - planning and execution of workplace situational assessment activities and the development of effective individualized employment and career plans.

When analyzing a task and identifying the individual steps needed to complete the task, try to incorporate some of the following ideas.

DON’T just take the employer’s description of how the task should be done. Unless he actually DOES the task, he may not be 100% aware of how it is being performed, or he may mistakenly leave out some steps.
Observe more than one person doing the task. It is critical that you actually observe the task being performed. However, if you base your task analysis on the way in which ONE employee performed it, you could get an incomplete or incorrect idea of how the task should be completed.
DO the task yourself. Completing the task following the steps you have identified can help you to identify gaps in your directions. It can also give you a better understanding of the exact functional demands of the job.
Teach someone how to do the task. This is where you will be able to judge the completeness and effectiveness of your task analysis. Someone else should be able to read the steps and do the task correctly.
Close your eyes and envision the steps being performed. Then compare your mental image with the steps you have recorded. Do they match?

Always keep in mind:
The steps you record for the task are what
the consumer will be required to do.
The clearer you are…the better your consumers’ chances of success!