Skills diversification in a work group can improve effectiveness and flexibility, the Merit Systems Protection Board has said in calling on managers to take the time to teach employees aspects of one another’s jobs as a hedge against too much specialization.
Cross training can be done incrementally, as workload permits, with the same people, equipment, and resources used to do the work, said MSPB, adding that simply observing learners on the job is the best way to assess mastery.
To start cross-training a workgroup, MSPB recommends managers start with a current and complete list of the tasks each person performs, which requires the same type of job analysis needed to develop assessments to hire new employees.
Next, managers should focus on tasks that are critical to the group’s mission, are performed frequently, and require skills most employees do not yet have.
Employees who perform these tasks should then train their colleagues with help and feedback from their supervisor, and finally employees who are in training then perform the task with their more experienced coworkers for a time to fine-tune performance.
Finally, MSPB emphasizes that clear and open communication about what is going on and why cross training is taking place is key to addressing concerns about possible downsizing or use of their time.