Q&A Hero

Q: What is the difference between a task analysis and a performance analysis? What is the purpose of each in regards to training?

Q: What are the four steps involved in the training process? After a training program has been established, how can managers make the training material more meaningful for employees?

Q: In a short essay, identify and explain the first three steps in developing a PERT network.

Q: In a brief essay, discuss how mobile devices, such as iPhones, are used by firms to facilitate both employee orientation and employee training.

Q: In a short essay, explain the difference between a Gantt chart and a load chart, identifying possible uses for each tool.

Q: In a short essay, define the practice of project management and explain why many organizations are turning to this approach.

Q: What is the purpose of employee orientation? What role does training play in employee orientation?

Q: Team training is used by many firms to develop strong management teams, enhance interpersonal skills, and encourage job flexibility.

Q: In a short essay, define and discuss quality control in an organization.

Q: The critical path in a PERT network is the least time-consuming sequence required to complete a project in the shortest period of time.

Q: The four basic categories of training program outcomes that are typically measured include reactions, learning, behavior, and results.

Q: A state motor vehicles agency that is interested in serving the public might choose to measure ________. A) total revenue rather than customer wait time B) total customers rather than total revenue C) customer wait time rather than total customers D) employee turnover rather than customer wait time

Q: A time series design is a training program evaluation tool that measures the outcomes of a group that receives training with the outcomes of a group that receives no training.

Q: A software company that puts almost all of its performance measurement effort into measuring the total number of units that the company and its competitors sell most likely wants to excel at ________. A) efficiency B) market share C) cost per unit D) labor per unit

Q: When designing a training evaluation study, most firms prefer to use a time series design instead of a controlled experiment because the time series design correlates change to training while the controlled experiment cannot.

Q: A car company that puts more effort into measuring quality than total units sold most likely wants to excel at ________. A) customer satisfaction B) efficiency C) employee satisfaction D) cost per unit

Q: Research suggests that most firms evaluate their training programs by measuring the reactions of participants.

Q: Integrated strategic management is an organizational development method of developing and implementing a strategic change plan.

Q: What managers choose to measure is largely determined by A) what an organization does well. B) the organization's structure. C) the company's image. D) the leaders and leadership style of those in the organization.

Q: These forms of performance measurement provide the best and most immediate forms of feedback. A) oral report and written report B) written report and statistical report C) MBWA and oral report D) statistical report and MBWA

Q: Survey research and team building are technostructural organizational development techniques.

Q: Jessie's assigned work section consists of three work groups who were assessed by this method of performance measurement and were informally judged to be "creative, innovative, hard-working, and fun-loving." A) MBWA B) written report C) statistical report D) oral report

Q: Organizational development interventions in the area of human resource management most likely involve changing a firm's formal structure.

Q: Organizational development is usually characterized by the use of action research and the application of behavioral science knowledge.

Q: Steve has a taped record of a one-on-one meeting with his boss. A) a statistical report B) an oral report C) MBWA D) a written report

Q: Sensitivity training seeks to increase participants' insight into their own behavior and the behavior of others by encouraging an open expression of feelings in a trainer-guided t-group.

Q: The most comprehensive form of performance measurement is this. A) MBWA B) oral report C) graphs D) written report

Q: During the unfreezing stage of organizational change, managers need to establish a sense of urgency, which may be accomplished by providing employees with reports indicating that the firm faces significant problems.

Q: This kind of performance measurement method is fast and is a good platform for feedback, yet it can be private and scheduled for a single employee ahead of time. A) written report B) MBWA C) oral report D) statistical report

Q: During the refreezing stage of Lewin's change process, managers are likely to use new appraisal systems and incentives as a way to reinforce desired behaviors.

Q: This type of performance measurement format would be most likely to include graphs, tables, and computer outputs. A) oral report B) statistical report C) MBWA D) written report

Q: A disadvantage of a statistical report is that it may leave out ________ measurements of performance. A) subjective B) objective C) positive D) negative

Q: According to Lewin's change process, unfreezing involves developing new behaviors, values, and attitudes through organizational development methods such as team building.

Q: Lewin's change process consists of unfreezing, moving, and refreezing.

Q: For a baseball player, a statistical report would feature such things as ________. A) a newspaper profile of the player B) batting average and slugging percentage C) filmed highlights of great plays D) scouting reports on the player

Q: An advantage of management by walking around is ________. A) perceptual biases B) obtrusiveness C) personal contact D) objectivity

Q: Management games are considered an effective training tool because trainees are actively involved, and the activities help trainees focus on planning and solving problems.

Q: The case study method is an on-the job management development technique that presents a manager with a written description of an organizational problem that needs to be diagnosed and solved.

Q: MBWA stands for management by ________. A) work area B) work action C) written action D) walking around

Q: Succession planning is a type of management development program that focuses on planning and filling middle-management positions.

Q: This is the most informal form of performance measurement. A) oral reports B) written reports C) statistical reports D) personal observation

Q: A manager measuring actual performance is like a teacher ________. A) composing a test B) grading a test C) helping a student study for a test D) making an assignment

Q: With a lifelong learning account, employers and employees can contribute money that can be used by employees to attend school.

Q: Managers always use these for performance standards during the control process. A) goals created during the planning process B) employee opinions C) generic performance standards for the industry D) standards developed by performance experts

Q: Providing learning content on demand through cell phones and laptops is known as mobile learning.

Q: Evidence suggests that Web-based instruction is significantly more effective than classroom instruction for teaching information about how to perform a job-related task.

Q: The first step in the control process is to ________. A) take action B) measure actual performance C) compare performance against a standard D) compare a standard against an ideal

Q: In a short essay, define and describe the management function of control.

Q: Apprenticeship training is a step-by-step self-learning method which uses a textbook, computer, or the Internet.

Q: Controlling provides a critical link back to planning that compares actual outcomes to planned outcomes.

Q: The American Society for Training and Development estimates that approximately 20% of what employees learn on the job is learned through informal means while the rest is learned through formal training programs.

Q: Motivation and leadership are two primary parts of the controlling function.

Q: Lower-level managers who are given firsthand experience working on existing problems are being trained through the special assignments approach.

Q: The control function is not intended to protect the organization from threats.

Q: Attitude surveys, employee diaries, tests, and performance appraisals are tools for conducting a performance analysis.

Q: An effective control system can help managers delegate authority to employees with confidence.

Q: Performance analysis is a detailed study of a job to determine what specific skills the job requires.

Q: The value of the control function lies in three areas: planning, organizing, and motivating.

Q: The purpose of a current training needs analysis is to ensure that critical employees receive adequate training and development for future positions with the firm.

Q: Control is the managerial function that allows managers to make sure that organizational goals are being met.

Q: Training sessions should be half-day or three-fourths day in length rather than a full day, because the learning curve goes down late in the day.

Q: The criterion that determines the effectiveness of a control system is how well it reduces unnecessary costs.

Q: Studies show that trainees are distracted by visual aids presented during training sessions.

Q: Control is the process of monitoring and evaluating activities to ensure that they are being accomplished as planned.

Q: Hiring highly-skilled employees with great potential eliminates the need to provide orientation and training.

Q: The controlling function helps managers protect an organization's ________. A) reputation for honesty B) assets C) position in the community D) good name

Q: Effective controlling can help managers ________. A) empower their employees B) set their goals C) maximize risk D) minimize employee empowerment

Q: Employee orientation programs range from brief, informal introductions to lengthy, formal courses.

Q: Controlling compares ________ to see if goals are being achieved. A) planned performance to standard performance B) standard performance to ideal performance C) actual performance to competitor performance D) actual performance to planned performance

Q: All of the following are characteristics of most interactive training programs, such as simulations, EXCEPT ________. A) instructional consistency B) responsive feedback C) increased learning time D) increased retention rate

Q: Which of the following terms refers to a formal method for testing the effectiveness of a training program? A) electronic performance monitoring B) factor comparison method C) controlled experimentation D) performance management

Q: Controlling is the ________ in the management process. A) first step B) final step C) most important step D) least important step

Q: The value of the controlling function is seen in three specific areas: planning, ________. A) organizing, and leading B) protecting employees, and empowering the workplace C) protecting employees, and protecting the workplace D) empowering employees, and protecting the workplace

Q: Which of the following is most likely NOT measured when evaluating a training program? A) what trainees learned from the program B) participants' reactions to the program C) overall organizational productivity D) changes in on-the-job behavior

Q: Which organizational development application involves methods like performance appraisals, reward systems, and diversity programs? A) human process B) strategic applications C) technostructural D) human resource management

Q: A well-run company that has well-thought-out plans, motivated and productive workers, and an efficient organizational structure ________. A) always attains its goals B) may not always attain its goals C) rarely attains its goals D) has no reason to monitor its performance

Q: The basic aim of ________ is to increase the participant's insight into his or her own behavior and the behavior of others by encouraging an open expression of feelings in a trainer-guided group. A) laboratory training B) action research C) group therapy D) diversity training

Q: The more a control system helps an organization ________, the more successful it is judged to be. A) meet government guidelines B) help employees achieve job satisfaction C) meet its goals D) increase sales

Q: ________ is a special approach to organizational change in which the employees formulate the change that's required and implement it. A) Action research B) Succession planning C) Organizational development D) Participative talent management

Q: A major part of the controlling function of management is to ________. A) formulate strategies B) set goals C) correct performance problems D) structure an organization