Any Job Analysis that is entered into the WPM Job Bank is a lasting record that will be used repeatedly over time with many consumers and by many practitioners. Therefore, your comments and observations should describe exactly what is supposed to happen on the job with enough detail so that someone who has not seen the behavior can visualize it.

When observing the consumer (whether for a consumer profile or in the situational assessment), you should record the antecedents and consequences, as well as the behavior itself. By recording and keeping track of what occurs prior to and following the behavior, you may discover patterns that could shed light upon factors that may impact it.

Some DOs and DON'Ts of objectively recording observations are:

• DO record positive statements. "Jackie chopped the apples and the pears."

• DON'T record negative statements or behavior you did not see. "Jackie did not chop all of the fruit."

• DO record only the aspects of behavior that you can observe. "Diane had tears in her eyes after being reprimanded by her supervisor."

• DON'T interpret an individual's behavior. "Diane gets upset when reprimanded by authority figures."

• DO use comparison words only if they include a point of reference. "Evan climbed through an opening 3 feet wide by 4 feet high."

• DON'T use "comparison" words with no point of reference. "Evan climbed through a small opening."

• DO record "the facts" of the behavior. "Dave painted the chair and dripped paint on the floor."

• DON'T use judgment words to describe a behavior. "Dave painted the chair sloppily."

• DO record the antecedent and consequences of the behavior. "When coworkers were having a conversation near her desk, Debra stopped working and listened to their conversation until they walked away."

• DON'T record only parts of the scenario. "Debra got distracted when coworkers were talking near her desk."