aPHR Study Guide 2023/2024

Needs Assesment - Correct Answer-The process used to determine whether training is necessary. Organizational Analysis - Correct Answer-Determining the appropriateness of training, given the company's business strategy, resources available for training, and support given the company's business strategy, its resources available for training, and support by managers and peers for training activities. Person Analysis - Correct Answer-Involves determining whether performance deficiencies result from a lack of knowledge, skill, or ability or from a motivational or work-design problem; identifying who needs training and determining employee readiness for training Task Analysis - Correct Answer-Identifies the important tasks and knowledge, skills, and behaviors that need to be emphasized in training for employees to complete their tasks. Work Specialization - Correct Answer-The degree to which tasks are performed as separate jobs Decision-Making Authority - Correct Answer-How decisions are made within the organization Centralized Decision Making - Correct Answer-Decisions are made at the headquarters Decentralized Decision Making - Correct Answer-Decisions are delegated to other parts of the organization Layers of Hierarchy - Correct Answer-Can range from CEO to employees in a function Chain of Command - Correct Answer-The line of authority within an organzation Span of Control - Correct Answer-The number of individuals who report to a supervisor Formalization - Correct Answer-Extent to which rules, policies, and procedures govern the behavior of employees in the organization Departmentalization - Correct Answer-The way an organization groups its jobs and aligns effort, there are several possible structures Functional Structure - Correct Answer-Departments are defined by the services the contribute to an organization's overall mission. ex: marketing/sales, HR, Operations. (most common structure) Product Structure - Correct Answer-Departments are grouped under major product divisions (ex. automobile company) that have their own marketing, sales, and finance departments. Geographic Structure - Correct Answer-Each region has its own complete and self- sufficient set of functions Hybrid Structures - Correct Answer-Combines elements of all different structures because of constant changes based on marketing strategies Front-Back Structure - Correct Answer-A hybrid structure in which "front" functions- defined by geographic locations or customer types "back" functions- defined by product or business unit Matrix Structure - Correct Answer-Combines departmentalization by division and function to gain the benefits of both creating a dual rather than single chain of command RACI Matrix - Correct Answer-Used to better define roles and responsiblities R: Responsible A: Accountable C: Consult I: Inform Leaders - Correct Answer-Typically part of the organization's senior leadership team and often report directly to the CEO or COO Managers - Correct Answer-Responsible for units within the HR function, such as employee relations, talent acquisition and organizational development Specialists - Correct Answer-Known as functional experts and have expertise in specific areas such as compensation and benefits, talent management, metrics, , occupational health and safety etc. Generalists - Correct Answer-aka HR practitioners are the HR "jacks of all trades" in many organizations, the generalist is the first point of contact for employees and managers for all HR-related issues Shared Services Model - Correct Answer-Frequently used in organizations with multiple business units. Rather than having to develop its own expertise in every area, each unit can supplement its resources by selecting what it needs from a menu of shared services (usually transnational) COE - Correct Answer-Centers of Excellence: established as an independent department that provides services within a focused area to internal clients Outsourcing - Correct Answer-A third-party vendor provides selected activities Cosourcing - Correct Answer-A third-party provides dedicated services to HR, often locating contractors within HR's organization KPI's - Correct Answer-Key performance indicators measure strategic performance Balanced Scorecards - Correct Answer-Provide a concise yet overall picture of an organization's performance. Can be used to measure the effectiveness of specific initiatives, entire departments, or the entire organization HR Audit - Correct Answer-An organization's HR policies, practices, procedures, and strategies undergo a systematic and comprehensive evaluation Organizational Development - Correct Answer-The process of enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of an organization and the well-being of its members through planned interventions Critical Path - Correct Answer-Shortest amount of time required to complete a project, taking into account all project task relationships Focus Group - Correct Answer-A small group (6-12) invited to actively participate in a structured discussion with a facilitator. Usually lasts from 1-3 hrs, depending on topic and purpose. Can be used to follow up on a survey etc. Mind Mapping - Correct Answer-Discussion with core ideas, group members add related ideas and indicate logical connections eventually grouping similar ideas Affinity Diagramming - Correct Answer-Sorting a large amount of data that has already be collected until categorized and relationships are drawn NGT - Correct Answer-Nominal Group Technique: Proceeds through rounds in which participants each suggest ideas Delphi Technique - Correct Answer-Progressively collects info from a group on a preselected issues SWOT Analysis - Correct Answer-Measures: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats associated with an action or an entity