The Results-Oriented Methods Workplace

Methods jobs, whether measuring work, observing employees or designing new work systems, are involved in a lot of detail. When methods people are so engrossed in the details of their jobs, it's easy for them, for anyone actually, to lose sight of the job's major contribution.

A Results-Oriented Methods Job Description is different from a traditional job description because it focuses an employee on the several job results that answer the question: What results must this methods affairs job accomplish for the organization?

Methods Job Standards added to job expectations tighten management controls by clarifying how well and when results must be accomplished.

Methods Job Objectives establish management and employee plans by highlighting important current and future results needed.

Job-specific Methods Employee Management Forms maintain consistent and methodsly sound management actions by basing manager-employee interactions on job results.

The Purpose of Methods Jobs

Stated in a results-oriented, three-line style, methods affairs jobs--

DEVELOP WORK METHODS by

observing and measuring work processes and systems; identifying operational problems; developing methods solutions; consolidating or eliminating procedures.

Types of Methods Jobs

Methods jobs design and improve work processes. Sometimes the designs concentrate on the equipment and processes, and other times on workers movements. Some jobs work in manufacturing environments whereas other jobs work in office environments.

Other jobs write up procedures for employees to follow. And, of course, somebody has to manage and supervise the methods people and processes.

Methods Job Management Tools

Here are actual job examples of how methods affairs job actions can be focused on results and kept on track using each of our job management tools:

Results-Oriented Methods Job Descriptions form the foundation of all job management tools. Our uniquely structured job descriptions focus on the result to be accomplished first and prominently, followed by the duties performed in order to accomplish the result. For example,

RECOMMENDS METHODS ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Methods Job Standards sharpen employee attention and management control by defining and communicating how well the methods affairs results must be accomplished and what benchmarks will be used to measure job results. For example, for the job result above, the job standards might be:

• Methods situations are correctly understood.
• All options are identified and evaluated.
• Methods recommendations are ready when needed.

Methods Job Objectives point the direction for employee actions by focusing job efforts on current and future methods affairs issues. Job objectives are written in the three-line, results-oriented structure. For example, for the job result above, a job objective might be:

SPEED-UP DECISION MAKING by

reducing time to deliver methods affairs recommendations by 10% by (date).

Methods Employee Management Forms tied specifically to each methods affairs job description are more helpful (and methods) than generic forms used for all different kinds of jobs. Job-specific forms are used to state job qualifications, guide job interview questions, orient new employees, plan job training, and appraise job performance.

Methods Job Qualifications are stated in the same terms used in the job description. They are not translated into generic (typically behavioral) terms. For example:

RECOMMENDS METHODS ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Methods Job Interview guide questions are inserted directly below each job result in the job description: For example:

• "What specific job responsibilities have you had in this area?"
• "Where did you have these job responsibilities?"
• "When did you have these job responsibilities?"
• "How did you go about accomplishing these responsibilities?"
• "What accomplishment in this area gave you the most pride?"
• "In this area, what were some of your biggest challenges?"
• "How did you overcome the challenges?"

The Methods Job Orientation guide reformats the job description sequence so that job explanations, policies, protocols, processes, and procedures are logical and complete and can easily be checked off. For example:

RECOMMENDS METHODS ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

The manager might say: "Here's the procedure and format we use to analyze and present methods affairs recommendations."

The Methods Job Training plan guides a thorough examination of actual job knowledge, skills, and abilities as described in the job description that need improvement or that might be enhanced. For example:

RECOMMENDS METHODS ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

The manager might say: "Analytical skills would be improved by enrolling in a statistical analysis class."

The Methods Job Performance Appraisal guide is a job-specific form. It is not a universal form used for all jobs. The guide adds an appraisal scale below each job result in the job description so that attention can be drawn to each job requirement and expectation. For example:

RECOMMENDS METHODS ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

__ Great! Just want we wanted.
__ We have a problem.
__ Improvement is needed.
__ Much, much more than we asked for.

Comments: _________________

Methods Résumé Template

Potential employers want to know what a job applicant has accomplished in his/her methods affairs work career. They don't want to be bored with minor details. Our Résumé Template provides:

• an outline to help assemble personal background information.
• a Results-Oriented Job Description to provide the methods affairs job language-focused on results-needed to write an effective résumé.
• Methods Job Objectives to orient thinking in terms of accomplishments.
• instructions on how to use a Results-Oriented Methods Job Description and Methods Job Objectives to express job accomplishments.

Use the methods affairs job description responsibility statement as a base:

RECOMMENDS METHODS ACTIONS by

analyzing system controls.

Select the methods affairs job objective that fits your experience:

REDUCE COSTS 10% by

improving methods affairs processes.

Combine the two into a résumé statement:

Reduced costs 10% by analyzing, identifying, and recommending new methods affairs system controls.

Methods Career Links

Indiana University, Process Management

Description of major, skills and knowledge developed, career options, employment opportunities, salary information.