The Performance Diagnostic Checklist—Human Services (PDC-HS)
The Performance Diagnostic Checklist—Human Services (PDC-HS) was developed by Alan Carr and colleagues in 2013, building on their extensive work in behavior analysis and performance management. Carr, a renowned expert in the field, recognized the need for a specialized tool to address performance challenges specific to the human services sector. The PDC-HS is an extension of the original Performance Diagnostic Checklist (PDC), which Carr and his team also contributed to. The PDC was designed as a versatile tool to diagnose performance problems across a variety of industries. However, Carr and his team saw the unique complexities within human services environments and developed the PDC-HS to meet the specific needs of supervisors and managers in this field.
The PDC-HS retains the core principles of the original PDC but focuses on human services settings, enabling supervisors to systematically assess and identify factors that contribute to poor employee performance. Carr’s work on this tool has empowered supervisors to move beyond simple performance evaluations and delve into the root causes of issues, facilitating more precise and effective interventions.
The checklist is structured into four critical sections:
Training: Evaluates the adequacy of training and whether employees have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties effectively.
Task Clarification and Prompting: Focuses on the clarity of tasks and the presence of timely cues or prompts, as unclear instructions and lack of reminders can significantly impact performance.
Resources, Materials, and Processes: Assesses whether employees have access to the proper resources and whether processes are conducive to productivity. Insufficient materials or outdated processes can hinder performance.
Performance Consequences, Effort, and Competition: Examines the consequences of performance, the effort required, and any competitive elements that might influence employee motivation and behavior.
Through Carr and his team’s development of the PDC-HS, supervisors are equipped with a robust, informant-based tool to diagnose environmental factors that influence employee performance. This targeted approach enables supervisors to implement tailored interventions that foster a supportive work environment and drive positive outcomes in the human services sector.
References
- Carr, J. E., Wilder, D. A., Majdalany, L., Mathisen, D., & Strain, L. A. (2013). An assessment-based solution to a human-service employee performance problem: An initial evaluation of the Performance Diagnostic Checklist-Human Services. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 6, 16–32. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03391789
- Brand D, Sellers TP, Wilder DA, Carr JE. The Performance Diagnostic Checklist – Human Services: Guidance for Assessment Administration. Behav Anal Pract. 2022 Feb 4;15(3):951-957. doi: 10.1007/s40617-021-00675-4.
- Hodges, A. C., Villacorta, J., Wilder, D. A., Ertel, H., & Luong, N. (2020). Assessment and improvement of parent training: An evaluation of the Performance Diagnostic Checklist–Parent.(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1037/bdb0000092
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