NCJ Number
223088
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 77 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2008 Pages: 1-7
Date Published
June 2008
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article explains how "human performance technology" (HPT) can improve the development of a department's tactical team by providing tools that analyze the organizational context, determine the current performance levels, and provide direction and evaluation that ensure the tactical team functions at its highest potential.
Abstract
One tool of HPT is a "business analysis," which is the process of identifying and clarifying primary organizational goals, targets, or needs. A business analysis should produce measurable standards for team development and performance, such that progress can be monitored and evaluated objectively. A second tool of HPT is "performance analysis," which explains the current state of the department's tactical team and defines the team's desired state. This leads to a third tool, "gap analysis," which frames the space between the team's current position and where it wants to be in terms of human behaviors and expected outcomes. The gap analysis "ties together all of the performance issues and forms the basis for the next steps in the process: the identification of causes and the selection of interventions." It sets the stage for the use of the next HPT tool, the "root-cause analysis." Root-cause analysis involves a thorough examination of what has prevented the team from reaching the performance level desired, and then making decisions based on this objective analysis. Teams can use several methods for identifying the root cause of the problems. One method is to conduct structured brainstorming with all team members in order to define and prioritize problems and their causes. A second method is to define all the symptoms of the problem that is obstructing the team's performance and then ask why each of the symptoms is occurring and what can be done to address each symptom's issue. 5 notes