WHAT IS TRAINING

Continuous improvement cannot occur within an organization unless training is part of management's agenda. Leaders in respective departments should take the initiative to conduct an analysis of each employee's ability to perform his or her job.

This is often referred to as a needs assessment analysis.

The needs assessment analysis should be performed on the job function, not the individual performing the job. For example, suppose the job is to prepare an accurate product certification document. A flow diagram on completing a product certification.

The focus should be on preparing an accurate product certification, not on the skills of the final product auditor, the material handler, or the typist. Study each step in the flow diagram for the job and determine exactly what is required for that step to be successful. For example, let's look at the seep: Inspect All Critical Characteristics Per Sample Plan.

To be successful at this step, every step preceding must have been performed correctly and accurately. All critical characteristics must be identified on the inspection plan or engineering drawing. The sample plan should be available and germane to the product being inspected. The test equipment and inspection equipment should be in full calibration and acceptable for the tolerances being examined. The individual conducting the task must be qualified for the task.