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administer. It requires clearly defined objectives that can be measured by tests, which is another reason why this evaluation technique has limited use in many projects today.

Performance Testing
Performance testing allows the project team member to exhibit a skill (and occasionally knowledge or attitudes) that has been learned in a project. The skill can be manual, verbal, or analytical, or a combination of the three. In some improvement-related projects, performance testing comes in the form of skill practices or role-playing. Project team members are asked to demonstrate discussion or problem-solving skills they have acquired as an adequate reflection of the skills learned from the project. For a performance test to be effective, the following steps are recommended in the design and administration of the test: 1. The test should be a representative sample of the work/task related to the project. The test should allow the project team member to demonstrate as many skills taught in the project as possible. This increases the validity of the test and makes it more meaningful to the project team member. 2. The test should be thoroughly planned. Every phase of the test should be plannedthe timing, the preparation of the project team member, the collection of necessary materials and tools, and the evaluation of results. 3. Thorough and consistent instructions are necessary. As with other tests, the quality of the instructions can influence the outcome of a performance test. All project team members should be given the same instructions. They should be clear, concise, and to the point. Charts, diagrams, blueprints, and other supporting information should be provided if they are normally provided in the work setting. If appropriate and feasible, the test should be demonstrated by the appropriate project team member so that project team members observe how the skill is practiced. 4. Procedures should be developed for objective evaluation, and acceptable standards must be developed for a performance test. Standards are sometimes difficult to develop because varying degrees of speed, skill, and quality are associated with individual outcomes. Predetermined standards must be developed so that employees know in advance what has to be accomplished and what will be considered satisfactory and acceptable for test completion.