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Job Analysis: BSI definition (33206) - the determination of the essential characteristics of a job in order to produce a job specification (BSI definition 32212).
Essentially the process of examining a job to identify its component parts. The detail and approach may vary according to the purpose for which the job is being analysed, e.g. training, equipment design, workplace layout (GTT).
Information on job content is useful to a company for a large number of applications. The Personnel Unit needs data for recruiting; Costing need information for establishing labour standards; other corporate management services units require information for organisation manuals, job evaluation, salary grading and so on. The information required is collected by a Job Analyst, trained in the information gathering technique. This is usually by interview and can be supported by questionnaires and examination of existing records. In an integrated job study scheme, the job analysis will be used as a basis for all applications, but it is possible to limit the data collection and subsequent analysis to the needs of only one or two applications, e.g. a job description (BSI definition - 32207) for recruitment will require less data than a detailed job specification (q.v.) for a job evaluation (BSI definition - 32529) scheme. The word analysis has a double meaning in this context. Firstly you consider the detailed operations of which the job consists and secondly you consider the physical and mental pressures involved in carrying out the job.
A job analysis for a Transport Manager would consider the road, rail, sea and air responsibilities, the tonnage moved, the responsibility for decision-making in breadth and depth, the amount of resources controlled and so on.
