Task Analyses for Difficult-to-Assess Collective Tasks

Abstract : In a previous report involving collective measurement, Wetzel-Smith and Mitchell (1986) drew attention to three essential aspects involving the measurement of collective performance including: collective task performance depends on individual subtask proficiency; when the tasks require more direct coordination; the unit skill levels are higher than the level of individual skills; and units that receive performance feedback improve over units that do not receive feedback. The present research effort involving multi-echelon measurement has three main goals: 1) building upon earlier research, conduct a comprehensive review of the literature regarding many different areas of collective performance measurement, 2) conduct interviews with Army subject matter experts (SME) to better understand Army collective tasks and measurement issues, and 3) obtain measurement ideas from nonmilitary measurement experts. This product outlines the process of conducting a task analysis for three difficult to measure collective tasks, conduct a key leader engagement, establish a host nation police force, and partner with host nation forces. This product touches on all three goals of the research effort.