Sample 01: 1978 DRAFT Request for Personnel Research (RPR)

 

  1. TITLE:  Use of Occupational Survey Data in Manpower Standards Development.
  2. PROBLEM:  Occupational survey data, as presently reported, are of limited utility in the manpower standards development process because:
    1. The occupational survey data are collected and organized by Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) without regard to in what Functional Account Code (FAC) or Program Element Code (PEC) the duties are being performed.
    2. Manpower standards are developed with regard to tasks required to be performed within a FAC to accomplish a specified mission.  The FAC, with its corresponding descriptive title, identifies a specific function of an organization.  The PEC defines the mission supported by the function.
    3. The interface with Air Force Management Engineering Program (MEP) has not been give adequate attention in the design administration and processing of occupational survey data.  The information collected could have much utility to the MEP.  The full potential of the data has not been taken advantage of because the format in which the data are reported does not relate directly to the function being studied by the MEP and procedures have not been devised to tell MEP personnel how the data may be used.
  3. OBJECTIVES:
    1. To devise data processing techniques that would permit improved utilization of existing occupational survey data.
    2. To design procedures that would organize occupational survey data in ways that would expedite decisions regarding task requirements of members performing duties in a specific AFSC, FAC, and PEC.
    3. To evaluate alternative recommendations for the utilization of occupational survey data in terms of their cost effectiveness and expediency.
    4. To establish a quick response capability in which the Air Force Human Resources Library (AFHRL) [sic, Laboratory], would provide limited consulting and quick-study assistance to MEP personnel on an as-required basis.  This assistance will be designed to provide greater use of occupational survey data during manpower standards development and maintenance.
  4. PRESENT STATE OF THE ART:
    1. The FAC and possibly the PEC can be incorporated into the existing occupational survey through a cross-match where Uniform Airman Record (UAR) data exist from the same base time.
    2. Incorporation of the FAC and PEC into future occupational survey data requires study regarding the most cost effective means of modifying data collection procedures.
    3. Improved utilization procedures for occupational survey data seem to be well within the state of the art.  Such techniques are expected to become quickly available as a result of teamwork between AFHRL and MEP personnel.
    4. Establishment of a quick response capability for utilization of occupational survey data could range from simply providing priority response to MEP data request to actual installation of a remote on-line data retrieval capability and training of MEP personnel in the use of the AFHRL data processing system.  Field test involving the utilization of occupational survey data in actual manpower standards development must be accomplished to determine efficiency.  Standard cost analysis and comparison procedures should be adequate for evaluating alternatives.
  5. TECHNICAL FORCAST:  The modifications to FAC code and occupational survey procedures involve no serious technical problems per se.  However, the development of procedures that provide data in a timely, cost-effective manner is expected to be time-consuming, requiring several iterations before a satisfactory set of procedures is developed.  Trade-offs must be made between quantity and detail of output and the costs of providing the data.
  6. BENEFITS:
    1. Improved and more expeditious determination of functional tasks requiring accomplishment during the development of manpower standards.
    2. Improved procedures for maintaining and insuring currency of manpower standards.
    3. Improved utilization of occupational survey data.
    4. More cost effective occupational survey and manpower standard data collection techniques.
  7. MAJOR USER:  HQ USAF/PRM, AFMEA
  8. TIME PHASING:
    1. Phase I – AFHRL, with the assistance of AFMEA, design and evaluate procedures for organizing existing occupational survey data by FAC and PEC. (1-4 MAS)
    2. Phase II – AFHRL, with the assistance of AFMEA, design and evaluate new data collection techniques for including FAC and PEC information in the occupational survey data bank. (1-4 MAS)
    3. Phase III – AFHRL, with the assistance of AFMEA, design and evaluate data processing techniques to permit increased and more expedient utilization of occupational the occupational survey data bank. (1-8 MAS)
    4. Phase IV – AFMEA, with the assistance of AFHRL, develop manpower standard based on existing occupational survey data.
    5. Phase V – AFMEA, with the assistance of AFHRL, test and evaluate selected data processing techniques. (4-12 MAS)
    6. Phase VI – AFHRL, with the assistance of AFMEA, conduct a cost/benefit analysis of the selected systems and procedures.
    7. Phase VII – DRAFT REPORT (12-14 MAS)
    8. Phase VIII – STAFFING AND FINAL DOCUMENTATION (17-20 MAS)
    9. Note:  It is assumed that AFHRL will establish a quick response capability regarding organization and utilization of existing survey within two months of the start date.  This quick response capability should continue throughout the active study period.
  9. UTILIZATION CONCEPT:  Approved data systems and procedures will be used by the MEP personnel in the development and maintenance of Air Force and MAJCOM manpower standards as follows:
    1. Current task list and background information contained in the occupational survey data bank will provide the following prospectus during standards development.

                                                               i.      What tasks are currently being accomplished

                                                             ii.      Who in terms of AFSC, time in service, time in career field, time on the job, and training received is accomplishing the tasks.

                                                            iii.      Where the task is being performed in terms of overseas, CONUS, MAJCOM, or base.

                                                           iv.      What equipment is supported/utilized

                                                             v.      How satisfied are individuals performing the tasks.

    1. Semiannual updates of occupational survey data will provide a means to:

                                                               i.      Verify any addition or deletion of tasks resulting from routine standards maintenance.

                                                             ii.      Verify estimates related to the percent of the time impact resulting from routine standards maintenance.

                                                            iii.      Insure that significant changes in a function that may have been overlooked or misconstrued as “No Impact” are considered.

  1. PRIORITY:  Urgent
  2. REQUIREMENTS MANAGERS:
    1. HQ AFMEA/MEMT
    2. AUTOVON:  487-2470
    3. LOCAL:  652-2470