Learning and Performance Glossary

handbook

A document prepared specifically to provide guidance information. Handbooks are used for the presentation of general information, procedural and technical use data, or design information related to commodities, processes, practices, and services.

handout

Supporting information to be used by the learner as reference material in a training program.

hands-on

Student practice on actual equipment, simulators, or training aids.

hard skills

As opposed to soft skills. Skills to perform where job requirements are well defined in terms of actions to be taken and expected outcomes.

heuristic routine

A problem solving approach, not a direct step-by-step procedure, but a trial-and-error approach frequently involving the act of learning.

human capital

The sum of the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and competencies of people in an organization. Unlike structural capital, human capital is owned by the individuals who have it. It is the renewable part of intellectual capital and is the source of creativity and innovation.

Human Performance Improvement (HPI)

A systematic process of discovering and analyzing human performance improvement gaps, planning for future improvements, designing cost-effective interventions to close performance gaps, implementing the interventions, and evaluating the financial and nonfinancial results.

human resource development (HRD)

An organized learning experience, conducted in a definite time period, to increase the possibility of improving job performance and growth.

hybrid task analysis method

Involves both a quantitative analysis and consensus building. Using job task documents, a list of tasks is compiled by an analyst. Through an iterative process involving consensus building, the validity of the task list is assessed by subject matter experts, supervisors and job incumbents. Through discussions, each task's complexity, importance and frequency are numerically rated by members of the consensus group. Once the tasks are identified, the group identifies and validates the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform each task.