Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Practice Exam

What does a position analysis questionnaire document?

1. Job tasks

2. Job competencies

3. Critical incidents

4. Job Value

The correct answer is: Job tasks

A Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ) is a structured instrument used to gather information about different job roles within an organization. Its primary focus is to document the specific job tasks associated with each position. By collecting detailed information on the tasks that employees perform, the PAQ helps to provide clarity about the responsibilities and functions of various jobs. Documenting job tasks allows HR professionals to understand what is required in a role, which in turn aids in various HR functions such as job design, recruitment, performance appraisal, and training needs analysis. The PAQ explores essential aspects such as the duties performed, the frequency of these tasks, and the importance of each task to the job overall. While job competencies, critical incidents, and job value are all critical elements of job analysis in HR, they do not specifically encapsulate the main aim of the Position Analysis Questionnaire. Job competencies refer to the skills and attributes required for successful performance, critical incidents involve specific examples of effective or ineffective job performance, and job value pertains to the worth of a position within an organization's overall structure. The primary focus of the PAQ remains on the job tasks themselves, hence making the documentation of job tasks the most appropriate answer.