SAT Terms and Definitions

Question 1

What is the Systematic Approach to Training?

Answer 1

A set of interrelated activities used to analyze, design, develop, implement and evaluate training.

Question 2

What is the analysis phase of the SAT process?

Answer 2

The SAT phase that assesses performance requirements or deficiencies, determines if training is an appropriate action, and produces task performance data that serves as the foundation for training and qualification program.

Question 3

What is the design phase of the SAT process?

Answer 3

The SAT phase that uses the products of job and task analysis to validate or identify instructional settings, develop test items and job performance measures, develop and sequence learning objectives, and write training and qualification program descriptions.

Question 4

What is the development phase of the SAT process?

Answer 4

The SAT phase that organizes and produces the instructional program, training materials and methodologies using the design specifications.

Question 5

What is the implementation phase of the SAT process?

Answer 5

The SAT phase that involves conducting training sessions and evaluating trainees’ mastery of the objectives.

Question 6

What is the evaluation phase of the SAT process?

Answer 6

The SAT phase in which indicators (e.g. operating experiences, employee performance, job requirements, feedback) are monitored, assessed and used to maintain and improve the performance of a training and qualification program.

Question 7

What is the Graded Approach to SAT?

Answer 7

The extent of application of the SAT process based on the importance of the job to personnel and nuclear safety, equipment reliability, and the complexity of the job performance requirements.

Question 8

What is a job analysis?

Answer 8

A systemic process used to identify the tasks associated with a specific job.

Question 9

What is a needs analysis?

Answer 9

A systematic process that is used to identify potential requirements for new or additional training as a result of changes in job scope changes, process changes, regulatory changes, or plant modifications.

Question 10

What is a performance analysis?

Answer 10

A systematic process that is to identify performance gaps in equipment, personnel, processes, and/or procedures, which could result in personnel failing to perform as expected.

Question 11

What is a performance gap?

Answer 11

The difference between actual performance (what is happening now) and desired performance.

Question 12

What is a task analysis?

Answer 12

A systematic process used to define elements and skills and knowledge needed by employees for task performance.

Question 13

What is an examination analysis?

Answer 13

A process of evaluating test items from an exam that has been administered to determine if there are deficiencies that need to be corrected.

Question 14

What is a diagnostic exam?

Answer 14

An exam typically used to assess strengths and weaknesses in a specific area. Results of the exam may be used to determine continuing training topics or selected aspects of a specific topic.

Question 15

What is a deselected task?

Answer 15

Valid tasks for a particular job function; they are performed by job incumbents, but have been omitted from formal training due to their simple nature based on the outcome of difficulty, importance and frequency (DIF) analysis.

Question 16

What is a dynamic learning activity?

Answer 16

A learning activity that is used to improve personnel and station performance by providing an opportunity for line management to observe how workers use their skills and knowledge while performing tasks/activities in a simulated plant environment. In addition, a DLA can be used to detect latent organizational weaknesses, identify performance gaps, and improve work processes and procedures. A DLA is NOT used for initial training or to grant qualification.

Question 17

What does Examination Reliability mean?

Answer 17

The measure of the consistency, repeatability, and the degree of confidence that the examination will result in valid pass/fail decisions.

Question 18

What does Examination Validity mean?

Answer 18

The measure of how well an examination will measure what it is intended to measure. The examination should be linked to and based upon the learning objectives and/or task performance items that were developed from the job task analysis (JTA) and should address actual or conceivable knowledge and abilities required for job performance.

Question 19

What is knowledge?

Answer 19

SAT Definition: What a worker needs to know to be able to perform a task or task element.

The man must know, and not merely read books and talk of what they contain. He must have ideas, which correspond to the words. - William Whewell, Fraser’s Magazine, Volume 40 1849

A little learning is a dangerous thing ;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring :
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.
Alexander Pope -

Question 20

What is a Facilitated Critique?

Answer 20

An interactive question session using a training program instructor, training program administrator, training management, discipline line management, or another independent person as a facilitator.

Question 21

What is a Graded Approach to Training Lesson?

Answer 21

A lesson that provides an outline of content, including the sequence of topics and directions for presentation or delivery. It directs consistent use of training aids and reference materials that are attached and controlled in other lesson materials. These are typically used for one time training presentations such as group training, continuing training, or just-in-time training. These are NOT appropriate for initial training.

Question 22

What is an Inactive Task?

Answer 22

Task removed from the task list of a training program. A task may be inactivated for several reasons including: the task is no longer performed by that discipline, equipment is no longer in use, etc.

Question 23

What is an Infrequently Performed Task?

Answer 23

A task that is not performed routinely and may warrant refresher training or retraining prior to performance.

Question 24

What is a JPM?

Answer 24

Job Performance Measure: A method used to evaluate an operator’s knowledge and proficiency on a specific task.

Question 25

What is a Performance Exercise?

Answer 25

An exercise designed to reinforce skills and knowledge through hands-on practice related to a specific task. Performance exercises do NOT result in a qualification.

Question 26

What is a Learning Objective?

Answer 26

A statement that specifies measurable and observable performance that the trainee should exhibit after instruction, including the conditions under which the action will take place and standards of satisfactory performance. There are typically two types of learning objections - Enabling & Terminal.

Question 27

What is an Enabling Objective?

Answer 27

The steps that must be completed to satisfy and support the terminal objective ( e.g. conditions, action statement, and standards, as applicable).

Question 28

What is a Terminal Objective?

Answer 28

The expected outcome, which contains conditions, action statement and standard that defines what the trainee is expected to be able to perform after training is completed.

Question 29

What is a major revision?

Answer 29

A change or modification to training material that:
+ Adds or deletes a task or objective
+ Changes the intent of a task OR objective
+ Deletes or changes the intent of a commitment.

Question 30

What is a minor revision?

Answer 30

A change or modification to training materials normally used to correct typographical or technical errors or to add material to clarify an objective. Addition of management expectations ( e.g. OE, human performance, industrial safety, worker fundamentals, or equipment reliability) is considered a minor revision.

Question 31

What is a Practical Factor?

Answer 31

An exercise designed to reinforce fundamental knowledge and skills that may be applied during performance of multiple tasks or jobs.

Question 32

What is a Task Standard?

Answer 32

A statement that defines a measurable criterion for task performance. Examples of criteria include time requirements, degree of accuracy, or allowable number of errors.

Question 33

What is a Task-to-Training Matrix?

Answer 33

A document that correlates the tasks selected for training and the associated training materials for a specific discipline. The task-to-training matrix includes, as a minimum, tasks selected for training, where those tasks are trained, and continuing training frequency.

Question 34

What are operator/worker fundamentals?

Answer 34

The essential knowledge, skills, behaviors and practices that need to be applied by operators, maintenance and technical personnel to operate and maintain the plant effectively.

Question 35

What is knowledge per the Systematic Approach to Training?

Answer 35

What a worker needs to know to be able to perform a task or task element.

Question 36

What is skill?

Answer 36

The ability to use one’s knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance. The capability of a worker to perform an action requiring coordination of body movements.

Question 37

What is a job?

Answer 37

Duties and tasks performed by a worker in a qualified position.

Question 38

What is a duty area?

Answer 38

A grouping of tasks within a job.

Question 39

What is a task?

Answer 39

A well-defined unit of work having an identifiable beginning and end with two or more elements. It results in an observable and measurable output or accomplishment.

Question 40

What is an element?

Answer 40

A discrete action or activity executed during the performance of a task.

Question 41

What are must-perform tasks?

Answer 41

Tasks or task steps that are critical and complex, as well as tasks or task steps that are routinely performed that are key to successful day-to-day job performance.

Question 42

What is a critical action step (critical element)?

Answer 42

An essential element that must be performed to complete a task successfully: an action step from which serious consequences may occur or an action that will result in an unrecoverable condition.

Question 43

What does it mean to be qualified?

Answer 43

An individual is considered qualified to work independently once they have completed all the requirements including training, evaluation and management authorization associated with a specified activity.