Job Analysis definition

A process aimed at codifying the nature of a job role to help organisations understand the types of people they need to perform roles to a high level. Job analysis may help HR produce job descriptions for new roles, and can assist organisations in making comparisons with other companies, divisions or industries.

Job analysis will typically identify attributes and skills needed to perform the job, the day-to-day requirements and activities involved in the position, the major and minor relationships required in the role and any considerable pain points.

There are two main approaches to job analysis – task-orientated, which focuses on the activities involved in performing the role, and worker-orientated, which examines the capabilities, skills and attributes needed.

Since there’s a strong psychological emphasis in job analysis, job analysts are often trained in industrial and occupational psychology or are HR officers with specialist training.