Human performance technology (HPT) is a relatively new field that has been defined as a systematic process for linking an organization's strategic goals with the workforce responsible for achieving these goals.  The importance of these links is based on the idea that people are the most valuable resource with any organization.  That is, more than anything else, people influence the productivity and growth of the organization.

HPT is an applied science, similar to engineering, in which scientific knowledge is used to solve practical problems.  The two professions work with different kinds of problems: engineers work with problems in physical science while HPT professionals work with problems in the social sciences.  However, both professions are guided by three key principles:

1. Sound solutions are based on careful analysis.  Solving an engineering problem begins by identifying the discrepancies between current operations and established specification in a physical system and systematically assessing the possible causes for those discrepancies.  Similarly, solving an HPT problem begins by identifying the discrepancies between current performance and established standards in a social system and systematically assessing the possible causes for those discrepancies.
    
2. Complex problems require multidimensional solutions. Engineers may recommend a change to one component of a physical system and, at the same time, recommend changes to related components, operating procedures, safety mechanisms, etc. Similarly, HPT professionals may recommend a training program as one component of a social system and, at the same time, recommend changes in management policies, incentives, feedback mechanisms, etc. The point is that in HPT, as in engineering, problems are invariably complex. Solutions that do not consider the entire system are likely to fail.
    
3. Professional practice is informed by knowledge from diverse fields. Engineers synthesize knowledge from field such as physics, chemistry, biology, and electronics to solve process problems. In the same way, HPT professionals synthesize knowledge from field such as psychology, sociology, communications, and management to solve organizational problems. Also like engineering, HPT is not simply the sum of knowledge from these diverse fields. HPT adds a unique "systems" perspective in which the interrelationships among situational elements are as important as the elements themselves. 

Copyright © 2000-2007 Department of Instructional & Performance Technology
ET-327, College of Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr., Boise, ID 83725-2070
Voice: 208.426.1312; Fax: 208.426.1970; Email: lburnett@boisestate.edu 
Last updated on June 27, 2008