Job Analysis and Job Descriptions

The Importance of Job Analysis in the Use of Job Descriptions

As a job analysis program is being designed, it is important to understand how job descriptions can more broadly impact an organization. Consider the following:

• Talent acquisition
• Onboarding
• Training, development and succession planning
• Employee or manager communications and engagement
• Job architecture
• Job evaluation
• Job matching for external market analysis
• Compensation plan design
• Career ladders or career pathing
• Performance expectations and coaching
• Workforce planning
• Legal compliance

The challenge for a Total Rewards professional is to ensure that job descriptions are actually used for these purposes. Maintaining visible and up-to-date job descriptions will ensure that they are used.

A job description library maintained on a company’s intranet site is a valuable resource for the organization and provides transparency for both employees and management.