Which term refers to the process used to identify each task in a job and detailing how it should be performed?

• A. Job description
• B. Performance standard
• C. Position analysis
• D. Job breakdown

Answer: (C)

Position analysis is the systematic study of a job’s duties to identify every task and how it should be done. This approach digs into what the position requires in practice—listing each task, the steps involved, the methods used, and the level of performance expected. That makes it the best fit for describing not just what the job entails, but exactly how each task is carried out, which is the point of identifying tasks and detailing execution.

Think of it as the process that yields a thorough understanding of the position itself, which then informs other HR documents and standards. A job description is more about the finished list of duties and responsibilities. A performance standard specifies how well tasks should be performed rather than detailing how to perform them. A job breakdown is a granular, step-by-step decomposition of tasks, but it’s a tool used within the analysis rather than the overarching process of identifying the tasks and their execution.