Work Characteristics: A Task-Based, Benchmark Approach,
Abstract
Most occupations involve a number of work characteristics and aptitudes. Present AQE/ASVAB categories or areas of enlistment do not fully describe the nature of the work being performed within Air Force occupational specialties. Selection of personnel on the basis of AQE/ASVAB categories frequently leads, as a consequence, to personnel expecting work to be predominantly a particular kind when, in fact, other work requirements are paramount. Because of this problem, USAFOMC developed a task-by-task look at USAF occupations using a benchmark scale to categorize the nature of work being performed within each Air Force specialty. Teams of subject matter experts were presented lists of commonly performed tasks and assisted occupational analysts in categorizing the tasks according to the benchmark scales. Most occupations were found to consist of tasks fitting a predominant category, with several other categories present as well. Some previously Electronics specialties, for example, were found to be primarily Electrical, with a high component of mechanical skills. This paper presents the rationale, methods and preliminary results of the USAFOMC effort.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADP001311
Entities
People
- Frank C. Gentner
- James B. Keeth
- Walter E. Driskill