Finding Information

This involves using a variety of sources including text, people, computerized databases or information systems.

The process of finding information can involve:

• consulting established sources supplied to the worker
• consulting easily identified and located resources not directly supplied to the worker
• conducting a more complex search for information
• bringing together information from several sources
• conducting research because no information is readily available

The process of extracting or processing information can involve:

• using information in the form in which it is obtained
• selecting information according to some pre-determined criteria (limited processing required)
• analyzing information to understand what is being presented
• synthesizing information from a variety of sources and performing complex analysis

Working With Others

This refers to the extent to which employees work together with others to carry out tasks. It includes direct interactions (face-to-face, voice) and indirect or delayed interactions (emails, memos, voice messages).

Some considerations:

• the number of people with whom the worker must coordinate
• the degree to which the worker must align his/her work with that of others
• how dependent the worker is on others
• whether teamwork approaches are well defined or the worker must determine how best to proceed
• whether different cultural or language groups are involved
• how unpredictable or complicated situations are and to what extent group processes must be constantly adapted
• the degree to which the worker is responsible for influencing or determining the actions of others in achieving organizational objectives

Workers engage in work:

• requiring little or no coordination of job tasks (the worker is often physically alone but not necessarily – communication is with clients, customers, suppliers)
• requiring coordination of job tasks (worker may be alone or in close physical proximity to co-workers – communication with other workers is for the purpose of coordination)
• requiring coordination and integration of job tasks with a colleague or co-worker (partners may or may not be in close physical proximity)
• requiring coordination and integration of job tasks with a team (team members may or may not be in close physical proximity)