What is the meaning of functional job analysis?

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Functional Job Analysis (FJA) analyses any job using three essential elements: (1) people (important interpersonal relationships on the job), (2) data (obtaining, using, and transforming data in aid of job performance), (3) things (physical machinery, resources, and the environment). Each of these three dimensions is then rated by level of complexity and importance with respect to the job being analyzed.


Functional Job Analysis is a method for classifying jobs similar to the Department of Labor job analysis but additionally taking into account the extent to which instructions, reasoning, judgment, and verbal facility are necessary for performing the job tasks. are standardized method for rating, classifying, and comparing virtually every kind of job based on data, people, and things.

Functional job analysis is a process for obtaining detailed information about the tasks, duties, and responsibilities associated with a particular job. The purpose of this analysis is to identify the specific skills, knowledge, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. This information can then be used to develop job descriptions, performance standards, and training programs.

Functional job analysis is usually conducted by interviewing incumbents or subject matter experts and observing workers as they perform their jobs. The resulting data are then analyzed and compiled into a report that includes a task list, a description of the skills required to perform each task, and a list of the knowledge and abilities required for the job as a whole.

This type of analysis is particularly helpful in identifying the training and development needs of employees. It can also be used to assess the suitability of candidates for specific positions and to determine whether current employees have the necessary skills to assume new responsibilities.

Functional Job Analysis definition

Functional job analysis, developed by the Employment and Training Administration of the United States Department of Labor, is concerned with qualitative analysis of a job role and worker that produces unique information based on the employee’s behaviour and actions.

FJA breaks down job roles into seven areas: things, data, worker instructions, reasoning, people, maths and language. Analysis of worker actions within these areas plays a key part of the Functional Job Analysis process.

Better understanding of the employee and the role are positive benefits of FJA, but it can be harder to standardise the analysis across an organisation due to the emphasis on qualitative rather than quantitative methods.

What is Functional Job Analysis?

Functional Job Analysis (FJA) is a strategy used by the HR department to assess the job roles in an organization. It identifies the responsibilities and functions that are to be carried on in a job. Companies use this method to create job descriptions accurately and to evaluate the applicants based on that.

Let's take an example for a better understanding.

  • Suppose the HR manager did a functional job analysis of an 'Admin Manager.'
  • They identified the 5 to 7 duties that the admin needs to perform.
  • Also, understood the requirements of the tools needed and the qualifications to handle that.
  • Identified what efficiency level the admin should have and what are the training needs.

FJA classifies the job roles into 7 areas: data, reasoning, things, people, work instructions, language, and math. Analysis of an employees’ tasks considering these roles is a vital part of the job analysis process.

What is the meaning of functional job analysis?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the importance of functional job analysis?

FJA allows organizations to pay more attention to the employees who will enhance the company’s overall value. In addition to evaluating how well an employee can perform the job, this type of job analysis also describes how the employee’s performance affects his or her teammates. Apart from companies, FJA helps employees understand essential tasks to be accomplished and qualifications to be achieved.

What is a functional job description?

A functional job description is a document wherein all the requirements and responsibilities of a particular job position are mentioned. In addition, it also includes which tasks to be performed and how various requirements will be assessed.

Which are the types of job analysis methods?

Following are the different types of job analysis methods.

  • Observation Method
  • Interview Method
  • Technical Conference Method
  • Functional Job Analysis
  • Questionnaire or Survey Method
  • Job Psychographic Method
  • Job Analysis by Test
  • Record Method

How is a functional job analysis carried out?

FJA is conducted in the following steps.

  • Identify the aim of job analysis
  • Select the method for analysis
  • Gather all information required for analysis
  • Evaluate and modify the existing job descriptions
  • Understand the impact of analysis

What are the data collected during functional job analysis?

The information to be gathered in an FJA are:

  • Tasks and responsibilities
  • Workplace surrounding
  • Assets and equipment
  • Communication/Relation with internal and external people
  • Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

What is functional based job analysis?

Functional Job Analysis is the practice of examining either a job's requirements and assigning the right candidate for that job or examining the candidate's qualifications and skills and assigning the right job to that candidate.

What are functional jobs?

Functional jobs are the tasks or problems your customer is looking to complete. Examples of these are washing their hair, keeping warm on a winter's day, getting from A to B.

What do you mean by job analysis?

Job analysis is the process of gathering and analyzing information about the content and the human requirements of jobs, as well as, the context in which jobs are performed. This process is used to determine placement of jobs.

What are the two functions of job analysis?

In relation to employee pay practices, job analysis has two critical uses: It establishes similarities and differences in job content, and it helps determine the internal equity and relative worth of like jobs.