First Things Fast: A Handbook for Performance Analysis (Hardcover)

by Allison Rossett (Author) "determine the general nature of the drivers and barriers and thus the related solution system. Performance assessment asks, Why aren't they doing it?..." (more)
Key Phrases: engineering briefings, emergent skills, emergent challenges, First Things Fast, Coast Guard, Rancho Bizarro (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This hands-on book tells you how to quickly determine performance needs before investing precious time and resources. When trainers, consultants, and problem-solvers need to figure out what's wrong with an organization--and they need a solution fast--they need this book. Needs assessment is about doing things right; performance analysis guarantees doing the right thing.

Rossett offers extensive guidance on:

Accelerating a performance analysis

Overcoming organizational obstacles

Using technology in analysis

Presenting the results of an analysis . . . and much more!

You'll get job aids, templates, and implementation examples that direct you through the basics of performance analysis. Carefully selected case studies further illustrate the text.This online information and coaching tool, designed by award-winning author Allison Rossett, offers planning tips and tools to get things done . . . fast!

From the Inside Flap
Look before you leap—start smart with this engaging field guide!Foreword by Marc J. Rosenberg, district manager, strategic learning technologies, AT&THow do you figure out what to do? This book offers you strategies to answer that question. It's a hands-on guide to planning and consultation, with an emphasis on tools, tales, templates, speed, sources, and systems. First Things Fast is the quick start you need to surmount resistance to investigating performance. Allison Rossett offers you priceless tips on:

• Accelerating analysis
• Using technology
• Overcoming organizational obstacles
• Communicating with experts, customers, and colleagues
• Presenting results . . . and much more!

"Rossett's book is a practical, down-to-earth set of guidelines from an accomplished professional who's obviously 'been there.'"—Joe Harless, author of Peak Performance System and The Eden Conspiracy"Rossett has produced an eminently readable, practical handbook that helps human resource professionals apply performance analysis methods fast. A friAndly, comforting, useful volume that we will definitely recommAnd to our clients."—Harold D. Stolovitch, professor, Universite de Montreal; president, Harold D. Stolovitch & Associates; and Erica J. Keeps, executive vice-president, Harold D. Stolovitch & Associates "This book is a must-have for anyone who is responsible for identifying performance and training needs. It's chock full of proven tips, techniques, practices, tools, and examples. And with Rossett's wonderful humor evident throughout, it's fun to read!"—Dana Gaines Robinson, president, Partners in Change; coauthor, Performance ConsultingYou'll get job aids, design templates, and implementation examples that direct you through the basics of performance analysis. A frequently updated, internet-based coaching and information system will complement and supplement the book (www.jbp.com/rossett.html). Start smart with Rossett's guide!

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Pfeiffer; 1 edition (November 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787944386
• ISBN-13: 978-0787944384
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #466,984 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars hands-on guide that is immediately useful, May 10, 2001

By	M. H. Bayliss "book queen" - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Overall, this book is a straightforward examination of performance analysis that explains why p.a. is more practial than traditional "training." It's a godsend for people who have to implement a plan right away because of the abundance of checklists and templates. I have some minor criticisms though since I have read several books in a similar category. 1 -- the author does not write as professionally as others (Rothwell, for example, who wrote Beyond training and Development) and spends too much time touting her earlier books 2 -- often the information borders on the extremely obvious 3 -- the book is overpriced as many textbooks are. P.A. boils down to the fact that it's really a "casing the joint" type of strategy -- get a general idea of the situation before diving in. All this fancy terminology for such a basic idea... still, it can definitely save a company a lot of time and money to do this common sense approach before spending money on training.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide to quick human performance analysis, November 4, 1998

By	Paul Harmon (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This book is a great help for anyone who is asked to analyze a performance problem. It provides a series of checklists and job aids to help someone figure out what's going on and how to fix it. It considers lots of problems and teaches you how to decide if the employee needs instruction, motivation or a changed environment. I really enjoyed this very practical and easy to read handbook; it avoids all the theory and jargon and puts the emphasis on analyzing human performance problems in a quick, efficient manner.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An illuminating, practical guide for performance consulting, September 30, 1999

By A Customer

Rossett makes a very useful distinction in this book between performance analysis and training needs analysis. She recommends an action-oriented consulting approach that ensures the real problems and potential solutions are identified before selecting training as an intervention. Her approach is practical and recognizes the time and resource constraints that learning consultants, managers, and their companies operate within. I have ordered copies for all of my staff!