PROCESS ANALYSIS-Performance and control of complex tasks
The most effective way to evaluate a maintenance or modification activity and performance of that activity is by direct observation. This is crucial for the effective performance and control of complex tasks in critical organizational work. Staff personnel can then compare such observations to established protocols covering both managerial and technical aspects of the work. This is especially true for work performed on critical equipment.
WORK ACTIVITIES
Direct observation of more than a small portion of any of these critical work activities is made difficult or impossible by factors such as the following:
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- The complexity of the activity and the interfaces involved.
- The multi-shift performance of the activity (time dependency).
- The relatively short time that can be spent on observations.
Knowing what key documents and practices one must incorporate and apply to verify and memorialize the work itself is the basis for developing the Process Analysis methodology.
TASK MANAGEMENT
Process Analysis (PA) is an effective substitute for direct observation to verify performance and control of critical activities in complex task execution. Use PA as an effective tool in the control of activities that are the critical functions of your organization.
TRAINING
Not only is PA important in controlling work execution, but one can also use PA to improve the training of employees in the details of their assignments especially for complex tasks. The major aspect of this training feature is that the employee will learn about all the details required for proper execution of assignments. Employees will also understand what it will take to meet the expectations of those in charge in the performance and execution of assigned work. Specifically, this is how we do business around here. In summary one can use PA to verify performance and control of critical activities in complex task execution. Upon first application, one can see the less than obvious deficiencies in current policies, procedures, and practices.
The first link below is an example of a completed Process Analysis (PDF File). The second link below is a blank template (MS Word File) that can be adapted to a specific program.