A function Is one of several related outcomes contributing to a larger outcome. A function is usually a collection of required jobs or tasks necessary to achieve a specified objective or bring about a given product or outcome.
In the chapter on mission analysis, we stated that a mission objective specified the what that was to be accomplished. Referring to the definition of a function, one may see that analysis is the process used to determine what functions or jobs must be done to accomplish the mission objective. Functions, then, are things that have to be done to achieve a product or part of a total product. Some examples of functions as they might be stated in a function analysis are :
Doing you've planned
By this time you might be wondering what to do with all these boxes and arrows. Obviously a plan is not worthwhile unless it achieves predictable and relevant results.
Needs assessment and system analysis, as defined in this book, are tools for educational system planning. They cause us to start from a formal determination of educational needs (or gaps), which provides information concerning the needs with the highest priority for action.
The discrepancy that is chosen to be acted upon then becomes the stated problem, and the mission analysis identifies the outcome specifications and a management plan (mission profile) for getting from where we are to where we should be. Function and task analysis provide us with detailed information concerning what is to be done to reach each element in the mission profile and the necessary interactions and interrelations among the various functions and tasks.
Needs assessment and system analysis, as defined in this book, are tools for educational system planning. They cause us to start from a formal determination of educational needs (or gaps), which provides information concerning the needs with the highest priority for action.
The discrepancy that is chosen to be acted upon then becomes the stated problem, and the mission analysis identifies the outcome specifications and a management plan (mission profile) for getting from where we are to where we should be. Function and task analysis provide us with detailed information concerning what is to be done to reach each element in the mission profile and the necessary interactions and interrelations among the various functions and tasks.Education As a Management Process: An Introduction to a System Approach to Education
The material in this chapter is Intended to give you an "over¬view" of the tools for planning and their relation to the process we have already called a "system approach" to education. The tools for educa¬tional planning include needs assessment and system analysis. Needs assessment is a type of discrepancy analysis which helps to tell us where we are now and where we should be going. System analysis builds from that base, and identifies the requirements for whatever action is indicated. The exact nature of each step and its associated tool, how the tool works, and what it is good for, may not become altogether clear until each tool has been explained (see following chapters); but this brief introduc¬tion should furnish an overall picture of the tools for educational system planning.