Task statements or behavioral objectives?

There are a lot of similarities between task statements and behavioral objectives. That is one reason I’ve focused so much on job and task analysis in my career. When I document a task statement and the steps, I have a clear path to the objectives and the training.

So what’s the difference?

The main difference relates to terminal and enabling objectives in training. Terminal objectives are the larger objectives for an entire training program or lesson. The enabling objectives are the smaller chunks of knowledge and skill that “enable” a learner to perform the bigger terminal objective. I’m simplifying here but you get the jist.

Task statements like, “Process a change order” are more in line with terminal objectives. You may need to add in additional details like performance standards or given resources but you are almost there. From there, we can take the task statements and then break them down into the various enabling objectives for a lesson.

So in the example of, “Process a change order”, you may break down additional enabling objectives like this.

• Receive a change order.

• Review the details of a change order.

• Describe the requirements for a change order.

• Compare the details of a change order with the requirements.

• Explain when a change order may be declined.

• Determine if additional approvals are necessary.

You can probably come up with a few more but as you develop your additional enabling objectives, you start to figure out the other pieces of training content you are going to need to enable a learner’s ability to “Process a change order”.