Team Brainstorming: A Thirty-Minute Task Analysis

TeamOJT Tip of the Month for August, 2004

Using teams of workers to identify tasks that need training is the easiest and quickest way to accomplish an accurate task analysis - one that focuses on real training needs. All you need to do is call a team meeting and brainstorm. Here's how to do it:

• Call out any task that comes to mind.
• Write on a flipchart every task mentioned.
• Do not evaluate, judge, or discuss any task.
• Focus only on what a person must know and be able to do to perform the selected task.
• Make sure each team member has a chance to contribute.

Teams may use a "round-robin" process in which each team member, in turn, is asked to name one task. Repeat the process until all tasks have been written on the flipchart. If a person passes his or her turn in a round, be sure to include him or her in future rounds. The round-robin process should give the facilitator enough control over the group process to ensure that all members have sufficient opportunity to provide input. If all members are participating, the facilitator may let the process become less formal. However, if the group becomes dominated by its more vocal members, it should return to the round-robin so that everyone is able to contribute.

If the team has difficulty listing tasks during the brainstorming session, especially when the number of experienced workers is small or when the job task represents a totally new area of expertise (as with new technology), the team should refer to any documents and materials already available. Examples include standard operating procedures, manufacturers' manuals, technical manuals, customer information, and safety specifications.

1. Begin each task with an action very.
2. Follow each action verb with an object.
3. Don't list tasks that overlap other tasks.
4. Don't break down tasks any further during brainstorming.
5. List as many tasks as possible.
6. Don't assume too high a level of knowledge for trainees.
7. Tape flipchart sheets to the wall so that all tasks can be viewed.

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