Question 1

Once the outputs are identified,the next step in a work flow analysis involves _____.

Accepted Answer

For the outputs identified, work flow analysis then examines the work processes used to generate those outputs. Work processes are the activities that members of a work unit engage in to produce a given output.

Question 2

Job specifications differ from job descriptions in that job specifications primarily describe:

Accepted Answer

Job description focuses on the activities involved in carrying out a job, whereas a job specification looks at the qualities or requirements the person performing the job must possess.

Question 3

In the context of work flow design,a position is _____.

Accepted Answer

A position is the set of duties performed by one person.

Question 4

Which of the following refers to a list of the tasks,duties,and responsibilities that a job entails?

Accepted Answer

A job description is a list of the tasks, duties, and responsibilities (TDRs) that a job entails. TDRs are observable actions.

Question 5

_____ are the products of any work unit.

Accepted Answer

Outputs are the products of any work unit, whether a department, team, or individual. An output can be as readily identifiable as a completed purchase order, an employment test, or a service, such as transportation, cleaning, or answering questions about employee benefits.

Question 6

Which of the following is an appropriate course of action while formulating job descriptions?

Accepted Answer

Whenever the organization creates a new job, it needs a new job description. Job descriptions should then be reviewed periodically (say, once a year) and updated if necessary.

Question 7

One method to simplify a job's mental demands is to limit the amount of memorization required for the job.

Accepted Answer

There are several ways to simplify a job's mental demands. One is to limit the amount of information and memorization that the job requires.

Question 8

What is the result of an organization structure that is strongly based on function?

Accepted Answer

An organization may group jobs according to functions (for example, welding, painting, packaging), or it may set up divisions to focus on products or customer groups. If an organization structure is strongly based on function, workers tend to have low authority and to work alone at highly specialized jobs.

Question 9

In the context of a work flow analysis,materials,equipment,and human resources needed to perform the tasks collectively constitute the _____.

Accepted Answer

Inputs fall into three categories: raw inputs (materials and information), equipment, and human resources (knowledge, skills, and abilities).

Question 10

The process of getting detailed information about jobs is known as _____.

Accepted Answer

Job analysis is the process of getting detailed information about jobs. Analyzing jobs and understanding what is required to carry out a job provide essential knowledge for staffing, training, performance appraisal, and many other HR activities.

Question 11

Job descriptions generally contain all of the following components EXCEPT _____.

Accepted Answer

A job description typically includes the job title, a brief description of the TDRs, and a list of the essential duties with detailed specifications of the tasks involved in carrying out each duty.

Question 12

OSHA's role in ergonomics in occupational settings is restricted to setting guidelines and inspecting instances of violation.

Accepted Answer

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has a "four-pronged" strategy for encouraging ergonomic job design. The OSHA determines guidelines, inspects violations, performs advisory functions, and directs future research.

Question 13

A telework arrangement is easiest to implement for manufacturing workers.

Accepted Answer

Telework is easiest to implement for people in managerial, professional, or sales jobs, especially those that involve working and communicating on a computer. A telework arrangement is generally difficult to set up for manufacturing workers.

Question 14

The final stage in work flow analysis is to identify the _____.

Accepted Answer

Finally, work flow analysis identifies the inputs required to carry out the work processes.

Question 15

Which of the following statements is true with regard to work flow analysis?

Accepted Answer

Outputs are the products of any work unit, say, a department or team. Outputs may be tangible, as in the case of a restaurant meal or finished part. They may be intangible, such as building security or an answered question about employee.

Question 16

Joe has opted for a schedule where he works 40 hours over four days instead of working eight hours a day for five days,and gets a three-day off over the weekend.Joe's schedule can be termed a compressed workweek.

Accepted Answer

A compressed workweek is a schedule in which full-time workers complete their weekly hours in fewer than five days. For example, instead of working eight hours a day for five days, the employees could complete 40 hours of work in four 10-hour days.

Question 17

The process of analyzing the tasks necessary for the production of a product or service is termed as _____.

Accepted Answer

Through the process of work flow design, managers analyze the tasks needed to produce a product or service. With this information, they assign these tasks to specific jobs and positions.

Question 18

_____ are the activities that a team's members engage in to produce a given output.

Accepted Answer

Work processes are the activities that a work unit's members engage in to produce a given output. They are described in terms of operating procedures for every task performed by each employee at each stage of the process.

Question 19

The primary goal of ergonomics is to reduce the information-processing requirements of a job.

Accepted Answer

The study of the interface between individuals' physiology and the characteristics of the physical work environment is called ergonomics. The goal of ergonomics is to minimize physical strain on the worker by structuring the physical work environment around the way the human body works.

Question 20

A _____ is a list of the knowledge,skills,abilities,and other characteristics (KSAOs)that an individual must have to perform a particular job.

Accepted Answer

A job specification looks at the qualities or requirements the person performing the job must possess. It is a list of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) that an individual must have to perform the job.

Quiz 4: Analyzing Work and Designing Jobs