Core Knowledge Requirements Flashcards
Needs Assessment/Needs Analysis
method for obtaining the information necesary to make decisions that will best accomplish an organization’s goals.
Steps for Needs Analysis
- Describe the objective (Where do we want to be?)
- Define the current situation (Where are we now?)
- Conduct a gap analysis
- Set priorities - identify the gaps most critical to achieving the primary objective and focus on closing them first.
- Investigate and develop options (What is the most effective way to fill this gap?) - brainstorm
- Evaluate options, and determine budget impact (cost and ROI)
- Recommend solutions
gap analysis
Compares the objective to the current situation and results in a list of people, actions, or items needed to attain the objective. Gather as much info as possible about gaps and identify any constraints that may inhibit efforts to close gaps.
third-party contract
some part of a contractual obligation is performed by an entity other than those who have signed a contract (such as an agreement with a temp agency in which the company is paying the temp agency for services provided by an employee of the agency)
request for proposal (RFP)
Often handled by purchasing. Serves as the bases on which a product or service is obtained, guides the delivery to meet the organizational requirements, and serves as a means of evaluation at the end of the project.
Steps for Handling RFPs
- Conduct Needs Assessment
- Develop RFP
- Receive Proposals
- Evaluate Proposals
- Select Vendor
- Negotiate for Contract
- Execute the Agreement
- Evaluate the Project
scoping a project
Part of the needs-assessment process. Client may conduct informal pre-proposal meetings with possible vendors. Useful when clients have little direct experience with projects or want to learn more about the product or service to describe it more clearly in the RFP.
Format of RFP
- Stats - Brief description of organization, including information that will help vendors provide an accurate bid, such as location, # of employees, etc.
- Summary - An overview of the project, summarizing what is needed.
- Deadlines - Administrative details, including submission deadlines, how proposals will be evaluated, etc.
- Description - Complete and detailed project description (aka scope of work). Contains enough info to prepare a bid.
- Contact - Contact person for additional info.
Proposal Formats (in response to RFP)
- Executive Summary
- Vendor Qualifications
- Project Management Plan
- Project Team
- Roles and Responsibilities (of team)
- Delivery Schedule
- Pricing Information
Top Down Communication
Communication from management directed at employees. Ex - intranet, PA system, mass emails, bulletin boards, newsletters, individual letters to employees
Bottom Up Communication
chance for employees to talk to management. Ex - open-door policy; staff meetings, one-on-ones, emails, webcasts. Help employees feel that their concerns are heard and addressed.
Steps for Documenting Performance Issues
- Verbal Warning
- First Written Warning.
- Final Written Warning.
- Decision-Making Day. (optional)
- Suspension. (optional)
- Termination of Employment.
Verbal Warning
(requires a written record be maintained). Includes specific examples of the unacceptable performance or behavior and notice of the consequence if it doesn’t change (“further disciplinary action, up to and including termination.”) Record can be as simple as a note by supervisor that describes date and time of the warning, employee involved, what was discussed, and any agreements that were made about futrue changes in behavior or performance.
First Written Warning
Includes memo to employee with steps that have already been taken, exactly what the performance problem is, steps that need to be taken to avoid future consequences, and any agreements that have been made about performance changes. Should be signed by the employee. Signing doesn’t indicate agreement, merely that the warning has been discussed.
Final Written Warning
Similar to First Written Warning with addition of a statement advising the employee that a continued inability or refusal to make necessary performance changes will result in termination of employment.
Decision-Making Day
Some companies send employees home, with pay, and ask them to think about whether they’re willing ot make the changes to keep their jobs. If they are, they return to work the next day and make a commitment to make the necessary changes. It is made clear to employees that if the changes aren’t made, immediate termination will result without additional disciplinary steps. If they aren’t willing to conform, they’re terminated without further action.
Suspension
Some companies suspend employees for varying periods of time depending on the seriousness of the offense and other considerations. Accompanied with a written document spelling out all the steps previously taken to resolve the issue, the reason for the suspension, and a statement that continued nonconformance may result in a termination.
andragogy
How adults learn. Based on work of Lindemann and Knowles. Most effective learning for adults takes place in small groups where knowledge can be shared based on life experience of participants; Means education in which learner participates in decisions about what will be taught and how it will be delivered.
5 Characteristics of Andragogy
- Motivation
- Orientation
- Readiness
- Experience
- Self-Concept
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1954)
- Physiological Needs (food, shelter)
- Safety Needs (physical and emotional harm)
- Social Needs (acceptance and belonging)
- Esteem Needs (recognition for achievements)
- Self-Actualization Needs
Skinner and Operant Conditioning (1954)
behavioral reinforcement/behavior modification. behavior can be changed through the use of four intervention strategies: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, and extinction.
Positive Reinforcement
encourages continuation of the behavior by providing a pleasant response when behavior occurs (push lever, get a treat).
Negative Reinforcement
Avoid negative consequences. Encourages continuation of the behavior by REMOVING an unpleasant response to a behavior (push lever to make floor stop shocking you)
Punishment
discourages future occurrence of the behavior by providing unpleasant response when the behavior occurs (push lever, get shocked)
Extinction
discourages future occurrence of the behavior by ceasing to reinforce it (stop giving a treat when the lever’s pushed, rat eventually stops pushing the lever)
Herzberg - Motivation/Hygiene Theory aka Two-Factor Theory (1959)
What makes people happy at work? People are happy when they like what they do or they way they are utilized and they’re unhappy when they’re treated poorly. Motivation (satisfaction) factors motivate by changing the nature of the work so that people are challenged to develop their talents and fulfill their potential. The dissatisfaction (hygiene) factors motivate to the extent that they allow people to avoid unpleasant experiences. Hygiene factors provide short-term benefits, where motivation factors lead to long-term job satisfaction.
McGregor (1960)
developed theory X and theory Y
Theory X
Managers have worldview of employees as lazy and uninterested in work and needing constant direction to complete their assignments. Believe all employees don’t want to take responsibility and are interested only in job security. Autocratic and top-down management style.
Theory Y
Managers believe that, given the opportunity, people will seek out challenging work and additional responsibility if the work is satisfying. Managers are more likely to invite participation in the decision-making process from their subordinates.
McClelland - Acquired Needs Theory (1961)
People are motivated to achieve one of three things:
- Achievement
- Affiliation
- Power
Adams - Equity Theory (1963)
people are constantly measuring what they put into work against what they get from work. If their perception is that it’s a fair trade, theyr’e motivated to continue contributing at the same level. When they perceive there is an imbalance and they’re putting in more than they’re getting back, they become demotivated and lose interest in their work.
Vroom - Expectancy Theory (1964)
People are motivated b the expectation of the reward hey will receive when they succeed and that each individual calculates the level of effort required to receive a particular reeward to determine whether the reward is worth the effort that is required to attain it.
- Expectancy - individuals assess their capabilities to complete an assignment.
- Instrumentality - If individuals believe they’re capable of completing an assignment, they ask, “What’s in it for me?”
- Valence - is the reward worth the work?
Alderfer - ERG Theory (1969)
Alderfer’s take on Maslow’s needs. Maslow says you have to move through each level one at a time, Alderfer says it’s ok to skip around. Also, if a level is too hard, one can regress to a previous level.
- Existence - Physiological and Safety needs
- Relatedness - Social and Esteem needs
- Growth - Esteem and Self-Actualization needs
Carlyle’s Great Man Theory
Leaders are born with innate qualities that set them apart. Leadership can’t be learned but is instead the result of superior qualities of a few men. (basis of trait theory) Clearly has issues.
Behavioral Theories of Leadership
Anyone could become a leader with the right info. Two aspects:
1. Behavior that focused on the structural elements of the job, such as establishing rules for employees. - theory X
2. Behavior that considered the needs of employees, such as standing up for them and explaining decisions. - theory Y
Doesn’t explain why a given aspect works in one situation but not others.
Blake-Moulton Managerial Grid (1968)
Situational Leadership Theory. Developed the grid to explain the characteristics of different leadership styles. Grid considers concern for people and concern for production. Uses 9 levels to measure each aspect. Leaders at the lowest extreme (1,1) show no concern for either aspect; at the highest (9.,9) show the highest concern for both and are the most effective leaders.
House - Path-Goal Theory (1971)
Proposes that a leader can impact the behavior of a group by establishing goals and providing direction on raching these goals. House describes four leadership styles that may be used to accomplish this in different situations:
- Participative - involves the group in decision-making.
- Achievement - establishes a goal and encourages the group to accomplish.
- Directive - specifies what is to be done.
- Supportive - provides encouragement.
Hersey-Blanchard Theory (1977)
Describe leadership in terms of the maturity level of the followers. Maturity refers to motivation and level of experience. Four leadership styles appropriate in different circumstances:
STePpeD
2. Selling - some experience - general direction but more encouragement
1. Telling - immature and innexperienced; leader must provide guidelines and goals
3. Participating - more ability but lack of motivation - require support to act on own
4. Delegating - both experience and motivation; leader identifies the goal, followers accountable for producing results.
Contingency Theories of Leadership (Fiedler)
Begins with assessment of leader’s style with least preferred co-worker scale. Score predicts how leader will do in three aspects of leadership:
- Leader-Member Relations
- Task Structure - jobs that are highly structure provide a leader with greater influence than those that require less structure.
- Position Power - situations in which a leader has the discretion to assign tasks or to reward or punish members of the group provide the leader with a greater chance of success.
Least Preferred Co-Worker (LPC)
Fiedler’s theory; Leader’s identify a co-worker, past or present, with whom they had the most difficulty working, and rate this person on a scale of 1-8 on a series of measures such as the co-worker’s level of cooperation and friendliness The result is known as the least preferred co-worker score. A high score indicates the leader has a greater concern for people than for tasks, and a low score indicates a greater concern for tasks. Fiedler proposed the score could be used to predict the situations in which a leader would have a better chance for success.
Authoritarian or Directive Leadership Style
effective in siturations requiring immediate action or those that are life threatening. When productivity is the highest concern, this may be best.
Democratic Leadership Style
Most effective in environments of hihgly skilled professional employees who are self-motivated and accomplish tasks on their own. When relationships in the work environment are of primary concern, most effective.
Lassez-faire Leadership Style
Allow group members to operate on their own. Provides no direction or guidance and can lead to chaos if members lack confidence in their abilities. For individuals who are highly motivated and can work independently, this may work well. may result in lower levels of productivity.
Transactional Leadership
Focuses on getting the job done and seeks to do this by offering a reward in exchange for accomplishign organizational goals. Manage by exception, either in seeking out areas where rules aren’t being followed and making a correction or by taking action when a goal isn’t met.
Transformational Leadership
Focuses on the relationships in the group, building them to achieve organizational goals. Set the ideal for the grop and act as role models, insipring excellence in the group and stimulating new ideas and perspectives. Coaches who work with individuals to develop their skills and abilities to improve their performance.
Project Management (PM)
the process of initiating, planning, executing, controlling,a nd closing an assignment that is temporary in nature.
5 Phases of Project Management
- Initiation
- Planning
- Executing
- Controlling
- Closing
Stakeholders
People who will be affected by a project
Initiation - PM Phase
Project requests are evaluated and selectef for implementation. Stakeholders meet to discuss proposed project. Once a project is selected, the sponsor creates a project charter to sanction the project and commit resources to its completion.
Sponsor
person who creates project charter and commits resources to project
Project Charter
identifies goals of project and appoints project manager
Planning - PM Phase
Led by project manger and lays out how the project will be accomplished. Describes deliverables, budget, and scope of the project and develops specific activities and identifies the KSAs required to execute those activities. A timeline is created.
Executing - PM Phase
Project plan is implemented. Team is created, and other resources are acquired. Activities identified in the planning phase are completed, and project manager manages timeline, conducts status meetings, and disseminates info to the sponsor and other stakeholders.
Controlling - PM Phase
project kept on course and on budget by comparing accomplishments to original plan and making course corrections as needed. Stakeholders may request changes to the original scope, and the project manager will review and incorporate them as appropriate
Closing - PM Phase
Customer/Sponsor acknowledges achievement of project goals. Project Manager collects info to improve future projects, stores documentation.
Why is a diverse workforce a good idea?
- More creative
- Reflects the population.
- Increases the candidate pool.
cultural competence
Ability of a diverse group of people to achieve individual aims, and a measure of a company’s ability to work with individuals from multiple walks of life. HR should: address cross-cultural conflict, assess hiring patterns of managers, offer sensitivity training, be aware of recruitment practices, leave policies, healthcare benefits, and anti-harrassment policies.
diversity training
seeks to educate all groups about the cultures, needs, and attitudes of other groups in the workforce to ensure the inclusion of all groups in workplace activities
diversity initiative
Seeks to increase the diversity of the workforce or to increase the effectiveness of an already diverse workforce. Includes top down management support, communication, training, and evaluation.
intrapersonal intelligence
how well a person knows themselves
interpersonal intelligence
emotional intelligence and social aptitude
emotional intelligence (EI, EQ)
Characterized by individuals who are aware of their emotions and are able to control how they react to them. These individuals are able to motivate themselves to achieve goals and are sensitive to the motion of others and able to manage relationships with them.
HR Core Ethics Principles - developed by SHRM
- Professional Responsibility
- Professional Development
- Ethical Leadership
- Fairness and Justice
- Conflicts of Interest
- Use of Information
Professional Responsibility (HR Ethics)
HR professionals represent their profession to their organizations. As such, they must hold themselves accountable for their decisions and ensure that their actions further the credibility of the profession.
Professional Development (HR Ethics)
HR professionals are expected to continually expand their knowledge of the profession and organizations in which they work.
Ethical Leadership (HR Ethics)
HR professionals are expected to model ethical behavior in their organizations and act as an example and guide to develop other ethical leaders.
Fairness and Justice (HR Ethics)
HR professionals bear a responsibility to ensure that all those with whom they come in contact and all those in their organizations are treated with dignity and respect and afforded equal employment opportunities.
Conflicts of Interest (HR Ethics)
To maintain trust in their organizations, HR professionals must avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest and prevent situations where they appear to or actually do receive personal gain from their positions.
Use of Information (HR Ethics)
HR professionals are privy to confidential information related to their organizations and the employees who work for those organizations. As such, HR professionals have a responsibility to protect this information from inappropriate uses.
Human Resource Information System (HRIS)
electronic repository of information for HR files; also serves as an effective decision-making tool, providing access to a wealth of info needed to make strategic decisions.
Employee Self-Service (EES)
self-service access to HRIS (c2hr)
Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
automated method for keeping track of job applicants from the first time they apply to an organization to the point where the position is filled.
Hiring Management System (HMS)
uses technology to carry the employer brand throughout the application process. Can pre-screen candidates and provide additional recruiter support with templates and standardized communication. Can integrate into HRIS.
Learning Management System (LMS)
Can be used to automatically enroll students in required courses and notify managers when employees don’t attend; can maintain curriculum; provide access to course calenders, assignments, testing, CBT training, etc.
Primary Research
Original; researcher performed research
Secondary Research
Based on info that has been collected or reported by others
Personnel Records for Data Collection
Provide information used for analyzing trends.
Observation for Data Collection
Of a manager or others.
Interviews for Data Collection
Provide direct info about problems. Can provide more info than records, but relevance depends on frankness of people being interviewed and willingness to share info. Interviews can be time-consuming and therefore may not be cost-effective. Best for collecting detailed info. When info must be gathered from large groups of employees it can be inefficient.
Focus Groups for Data Collection
Often used to find out how people feel about products or advertisements; again, subject to the willingness of the participants to open-up. Willingness may be inhibited by the presence of co-workers or supervisors. Good to use when it’s impractical to solicit input from all employees. Create a cross section of employees from various departments and levels.