Learning and Performance Glossary

job

What a person does at work to satisfy an employer's needs and expectations in exchange for pay. A job consists of responsibilities, duties, and tasks that are defined and can be accomplished, measured, and rated. It is used as an employment tool for classifying work and for selecting employees.

job aid (performance aid)

A device designed for use on the job and providing guidance on the performance of a specific task or skill. May be printed or on-line. Used in situations where it is not feasible or worthwhile to commit the procedure to memory before on-the-job activity. Often these are paper-based and posted on the wall in plain sight or in a small reference notebook. They can also be, decals, manuals, cards, etc.

job analysis

Breaking down the complexity of a person's job into logical parts such as duties and tasks. It identifies and organizes the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to perform the job correctly. This is accomplished by gathering task activities and requirements by observation, interviews, or other recording systems.

job description

A formal statement of duties, qualifications, and responsibilities associated with a job.

job enlargement

An increase in the number of tasks that an employee performs. It is associated with the design of jobs to reduce employee dissatisfaction.

job enrichment

An increase in the number of tasks that an employee performs and an increase in the control over those tasks. It is associated with the design of jobs and is an extension of job enlargement.

Just-in-case training

Instruction that is delivered in advance of when a person might need to use it. It is typical of most traditional training that seeks to ensure that people have the knowledge and skills they need before they begin a job.

just-in-time training (JITT) or just-in-time learning:

A method of providing training when it is needed. Its advantages are:

• Eliminates the need for refresher training due to subject knowledge loss experienced if training precedes, over an extended period of time (prevents decay if the learner cannot use the material upon returning to the job).
• Prevents training being wasted on people who leave the job before the training
• Allows the learners to receive training when they need it... not weeks or months later.