Human Performance Technology - Characteristics of HPT

Characteristics of HPT

• HPT is based on the assumption that human performance is lawful, drawing principles from numerous fields including psychology, systems theory, engineering and business management (Chyung, 2008).
• HPT is empirical, using observations and experiments to inform decision making (Chyung, 2008).
• HPT is results oriented, producing measureable and cost effective changes in performance (Chyung, 2008).
• HPT is reactive and proactive in situations involving human performance to:

• reduce or eliminate barriers to desired performance (reactive);
• prevent the conditions allowing barriers to performance (proactive); and
• improve the quality of current performance (reactive and proactive)(Chyung, 2008).

• HPT uses both systematic and systemic approaches to solving performance problems (Chyung, 2008).
• HPT considers various interventions (such as lean and six sigma mentioned above) that will assist in achieving desired goals (Stolovitch and Keeps, 1999).