Functional analysis

Functional Analysis

Functional Analysis is a technique used to identify the labour competencies inherent in a productive function. Such function may be defined at the level of an occupational sector, an enterprise, a group of enterprises or a whole sector of production or services. Functional analysis may be developed with different initial levels: an occupational sector (hotel); mainstream occupations at various sectors (occupational safety and health); or an occupation (PC repairman). It is thus evident the flexibility of functional analysis. Although it was designed as a wide-scale analysis tool, it may also be useful to analyse occupations in certain subsectors or even at specific organisations.

Functional analysis is not an exact method whatsoever. It is a working approach to the required competencies by means of a deductive strategy. It begins by establishing the main purpose of the productive function or service under study and then questions are asked to find out what functions need to be performed in order for the previous function to be achieved.

Ideally, this is carried out on a group of workers who are familiar with the function object of the analysis. Its worth as a tool comes directly from its representative quality.

How does functional analysis contribute to competency-based training?

Functional analysis, just like any other methodology which analyses occupations, becomes the basis for the creation of not only competency standards, but also training programmes.

The method of functional analysis is the first stone in the creation of labour competency standards. As such, it is in the root of the description of the occupational areas that are the object of standardisation. The integration of competency standards with their different components –units of competency, elements, evidence of performance, performance criteria, field of application, evidence of knowledge and assessment guidelines – is the basis for designing competency-based training curricula.

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