Human Performance Technology: Further Reflections on Human Competence

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn the 1990s Thomas and Marilyn Gilbert were finishing revision to Human Competence: Engineering Worthy Performance (1978) based on 20 years of experience implementing performance improvement in many organizations. The evidence gathered from these applications strengthened and deepened their confidence in the utility of their approach to organizational performance. Technologies in communications, data processing, automation, and more were emerging that offered ways to greatly expand the reach of behavior science in organizations and education. They saw opportunity and expansion. Tom passed away in 1995 before the book was published. The nearly finished book, to be titled “Handbook of Human Performance Technology” sat, untouched, in Marilyn’s home for over 20 years. Marilyn graciously shares their material in the following pages of this special issue of the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management (JOBM). Readers will find many interesting and provocative updates and revisions to the 1978 book. These extend the original text, elaborate the analysis, and hint at the future directions that they saw ahead. The Gilberts worked together for decades although Marilyn’s contributions have been generally unrecognized in the behavior analysis community. This special issue helps remedy that oversight. Perhaps the greatest recognition is ahead as the next generation of behavior scientists builds upon their pioneering work and applies their groundbreaking ideas with other emerging developments to solve today’s challenges.