Job Aids: Give the Readers What They Want

The term "job aids" is a phrase used to describe a genre of ready-guidance tools or prompts that assist a person in performing a job or task. The purpose of job aids is to specify what is to be done, how to do it, the order in which it is to be done, and the standards to be met in doing it...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Lawson, Patricia
Format Paper
LanguageEnglish
Published 1986
Subjects
Check Lists
Guidelines
Instructional Materials
Job Aids
Material Development
Orientation Materials
Postsecondary Education
Staff Development
Technical Writing
Training Methods
Online AccessGet more information

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Summary:The term "job aids" is a phrase used to describe a genre of ready-guidance tools or prompts that assist a person in performing a job or task. The purpose of job aids is to specify what is to be done, how to do it, the order in which it is to be done, and the standards to be met in doing it. Because job aids are not instructional materials per se, they do not take the form of reference material, tutorials, explanation, or detail. They do, however, take the form of diagrams, checklists, algorithms, flip charts, or online helps. Job aids should be succinct, procedural, visual, text based, tangible, and portable. Although they are not designed for use in all situations, job aids can be appropriate and effective tools for (1) training on the job, (2) outlining a procedure that contains more than five to seven steps, (3) presenting skills rather than knowledge or attitudes, (4) serving as a training substitute or supplement, (5) providing a convenient alternative to inaccessible reference material, and (6) detailing infrequent procedures or particular applications. When developing a job aid, it is important to plan its content, watch people perform the procedure to be described, talk to the people afterwards, do the task oneself, and test the job aid once it has been developed. When used in places where they are appropriate, job aids can often eliminate the cost of an instructor while reducing the learning curve of trainees who must use new techniques. (MN)