Thursday, April 11, 2013
Task Analysis
I recognize that my blog is not widely read. I get very few comments about the actual subjects, which is not to say that I don't get any comments. One of my recent favorites stated, "Fortunate me I discovered your site accidentally, and I'm surprised why this twist of fate did not happen in advance!" Then it went on to encourage others to check out their web site about "man boobs".
I spend more time deleting comments like this than I do answering real comments. But you have to admit... that was a funny comment!
In other news, I am currently working on a book of Task Analyses. I plan to take about 25 "tasks" and break them down into basic elements (or steps). This should be very helpful to people writing service plans.
I'm sure you realize that it does no good to write a plan to teach a person to "cross the street." What part of "crossing the street" can't they do now? "Crossing the street" is a whole series of individual steps including stopping back from the curb, looking both ways for traffic, pushing the button to change the light, waiting for the light to change, looking both ways again, being able to step off the curb (depth perception), staying inside the crosswalk lines, crossing in a timely manner, not stopping if the light changes against you when you are half way across, etc. There's a lot to "crossing the street," and often, harried plan writers just don't have time to think out every step.
So far, I have:
Using a Public Restroom (6 steps)
Using a Cell Phone (9 steps)
Telling Other People What You Want (5 steps)
Completing a Purchase (6 steps)
Crossing the Street (7 steps)
Riding Public Transit (25 steps)
Taking Your Own Medications (6 steps)
Brushing Your Teeth (10 steps)
Eating in a Fast Food Restaurant (15 steps)
Following Work Rules (10 steps)
Identifying Strangers (5 steps)
Greeting Other People (9 steps)
Looking Up Something on a Computer (8 steps)
Making a Sandwich (7 steps)
Making Healthy Eating Choices (6 steps)
Here's a sample: (2 of 6 steps)
The number of steps listed above is just what I have thought of so far, and as you can see, each step has accompanying thoughts to assist you in determining what the client can't do. You may be able to break down each task even further depending on your client's needs.
Any suggestions for tasks that I might include?
I spend more time deleting comments like this than I do answering real comments. But you have to admit... that was a funny comment!
In other news, I am currently working on a book of Task Analyses. I plan to take about 25 "tasks" and break them down into basic elements (or steps). This should be very helpful to people writing service plans.
I'm sure you realize that it does no good to write a plan to teach a person to "cross the street." What part of "crossing the street" can't they do now? "Crossing the street" is a whole series of individual steps including stopping back from the curb, looking both ways for traffic, pushing the button to change the light, waiting for the light to change, looking both ways again, being able to step off the curb (depth perception), staying inside the crosswalk lines, crossing in a timely manner, not stopping if the light changes against you when you are half way across, etc. There's a lot to "crossing the street," and often, harried plan writers just don't have time to think out every step.
So far, I have:
Using a Public Restroom (6 steps)
Using a Cell Phone (9 steps)
Telling Other People What You Want (5 steps)
Completing a Purchase (6 steps)
Crossing the Street (7 steps)
Riding Public Transit (25 steps)
Taking Your Own Medications (6 steps)
Brushing Your Teeth (10 steps)
Eating in a Fast Food Restaurant (15 steps)
Following Work Rules (10 steps)
Identifying Strangers (5 steps)
Greeting Other People (9 steps)
Looking Up Something on a Computer (8 steps)
Making a Sandwich (7 steps)
Making Healthy Eating Choices (6 steps)
Here's a sample: (2 of 6 steps)
Using a Public Restroom
Appropriate
use and manners in a public restroom:
1.
Client
can select the appropriate restroom (men’s/women’s).
a)
Client
recognizes restroom door signs.
2.
Client
can recognize clean facilities.
a)
Client
uses paper toilet seat cover when available.
b)
Client
doesn’t drop their jacket on a urine stained floor.
The number of steps listed above is just what I have thought of so far, and as you can see, each step has accompanying thoughts to assist you in determining what the client can't do. You may be able to break down each task even further depending on your client's needs.
Any suggestions for tasks that I might include?
