26. What is a primary outcome of a job analysis?

Answer: A

Explanation:

A job description

A primary outcome of a job analysis is the creation of a job description, which outlines the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a specific position within an organization.

A) A job description

This option is correct because a job analysis provides the necessary information about the tasks and competencies required for a job, which culminates in the formulation of a detailed job description. This document serves as a foundation for hiring, training, and performance evaluation processes.

B) An employee evaluation

An employee evaluation is not a direct outcome of a job analysis; rather, it assesses an individual's performance against established job criteria. While job analysis informs the standards for evaluations, it does not produce evaluations themselves.

C) An accounting of open jobs

This option is incorrect as an accounting of open jobs pertains to the current vacancies within an organization, which is a function of human resource management rather than the direct output of a job analysis process.

D) A department's progress report

A department's progress report is unrelated to job analysis outcomes. It typically summarizes a department's achievements and objectives over a specified period, but it does not derive from the analysis of specific job roles.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the primary outcome of a job analysis is a job description, which is essential for defining roles within an organization. Other options either relate to different aspects of human resources or do not stem from the job analysis process, reinforcing that A is the only correct choice.