What Is Developing a Curriculum (DACUM)?
Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) is a process that incorporates the use of a focus group in a facilitated storyboarding process to capture the major duties and related tasks included in an occupation, as well as the necessary knowledge, skills, and traits. This cost-effective method provides a quick and thorough analysis of any job.
The Process
Step One: Initial Occupational Profile
In the DACUM process, high-performing incumbent workers analyze their jobs. DACUM utilizes a panel of six to eight high-performing incumbent workers. Over a two-day period, these skilled workers identify the duties and tasks that make up their job. Under the direction of a neutral facilitator, the panel analyzes their job-related tasks while using a modified brainstorming process that encompasses a storyboarding technique. The final result is an occupational profile presented in a chart format, which describes a job in terms of specific duties and tasks that competent workers must perform. During the process, tasks are also sequenced and ranked based on:
Steps Two and Three: Validation Process
The occupational profile is validated and vetted through various methods. A validation workshop uses a peer-review process to review the initial profile. Once peer-reviewed, the profile can then be analyzed through a management review, allowing the management team to synthesize what the workers said with what they expect and believe the job should encompass.
Steps Four and Five: Curriculum Development
Once the profile has been validated, a task analysis can be conducted to define the job further. The validated profile and the task analysis can then be used to develop a curriculum.
Value and Uses of DACUM
After conducting DACUM Occupational Analyses for more than a decade, we’ve seen a myriad of uses for occupational analysis. We also know that DACUM Occupational Analyses consistently produce reliable, cost-efficient profiles in a timely manner. The specific uses and additional value of these analyses can vary depending on your organizational type.
Business and Industry
An occupational analysis has a wide variety of valuable uses, and they are becoming even more valuable in today’s dynamic environment. Today’s businesses often find themselves operating on a foundation of shifting sand, requiring corporate flexibility and nimbleness. This, combined with the current economic climate, requires us to find new, creative ways to do more with less. We’ve seen this is a primary driver as to why many businesses are strategically and creatively changing how they do business. We’re also seeing groups rethink how they recruit, retain, and train their most valuable assets – their people.
An occupational analysis is most commonly used for defining current jobs. This information is then used to develop training, job descriptions, etc. However, with the fast-paced environment in which we live, it is also used to project what duties, tasks, knowledge, and skills will be needed for a particular job in the future.
Common Uses by Business and Industry
Value of DACUM Occupational Analysis for Business and Industry
Colleges and Universities
Business and industry are not the only ones experiencing a tidal wave of change. Colleges and universities provide a direct workforce pipeline to these organizations and find themselves also adapting to the changing tides. Educational institutions are preparing tomorrow’s workers, making educators’ jobs even more arduous. Educators can keep curricula relevant to business and industry’s current and future needs by conducting occupational analysis and involving high-performing incumbent workers. This helps to keep colleges and universities at the forefront, ensuring they are preparing the high-performing workers of tomorrow.
Common Uses by Colleges and Universities
Value of DACUM Occupational Analysis for Colleges and Universities
DACUM Fees for Service
There are several factors to consider in pricing a DACUM Occupational Analysis. When considering Facilitation Center costs, keep in mind:
There are also other direct and indirect costs to consider with a DACUM Occupational Analysis:
These fees for service, as well as the direct and indirect costs, are typically less for the validation and management reviews. These reviews are typically conducted in one day or less, thus reducing several expenses.
Because each meeting is unique, the Center works with clients to outline a scope of work to meet their specific needs. Once this is determined, staff proposes a firm-fixed price that includes meeting design, preparation, on-site facilitation, supplies, travel costs (if applicable), and the occupational profile chart. Once the firm-fixed price is agreed upon, a service contract is generated. Invoices are submitted after the occupational profile chart has been generated and delivered to the client.
If you would like to receive a quote for service, we would be happy to discuss your project and develop a quote for your consideration. To arrange a preliminary discussion and quote, please contact Stefanie Ashley.
Job Profile Archive
One of Facilitation Center’s services is free access to a collection of more than 200 job profiles. These profiles are from a wide variety of fields and industries and cover jobs from various states. If you are interested in obtaining a job profile from our records, please contact Sarah Gilbert. Sarah will check permissions, and if the client has granted permission for us to share their profile, she can email you a copy of the final DACUM occupational chart.