15-1251.00 · Learning planner
Computer Programmers: a task-based learning plan
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Explore the complete task inventory first →
Understand the profile before choosing priorities
The table shows the ten highest importance ratings among 30 skills with usable ratings. Skills tied on importance can share a rank. Importance (1–5) and level (0–7) describe different dimensions. A level of 4 is not 4/7 of a course, and neither scale is your personal score. Source dates refer to the underlying rating, not the database release date.
| Skill | Importance / 5 | Level / 7 | Rating date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programming | 4.75 | 4.88 | 08/2018 · Analyst |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 4.00 | 08/2018 · Analyst |
| Critical Thinking | 3.75 | 3.88 | 08/2018 · Analyst |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.75 | 3.88 | 08/2018 · Analyst |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.50 | 3.50 | 08/2018 · Analyst |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.38 | 3.50 | 08/2018 · Analyst |
| Systems Analysis | 3.38 | 3.25 | 08/2018 · Analyst |
| Writing | 3.25 | 3.25 | 08/2018 · Analyst |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.25 | 3.25 | 08/2018 · Analyst |
| Operations Analysis | 3.12 | 3.75 | 08/2018 · Analyst |
Anchor the plan in an actual task
Choose one reported task you want to understand better. Then choose one to three skills and describe an appropriate learning activity, evidence you will review and a date. For practical work requiring authorization, choose relevant coursework, observation or supervised training.
Programming
Writing computer programs for various purposes.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer programmers.
Level 4: Write a statistical analysis program to analyze demographic data
Level 6: Write programs to analyze geological data for existence of mineral deposits
What input/output behavior and edge case would you use to check a small program?
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer programmers.
Level 4: Answer inquiries regarding credit references
Level 2: Take a customer's order
What would you ask the other person to clarify, and how would you confirm you understood?
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer programmers.
Level 4: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses
Level 2: Determine whether a subordinate has a good excuse for being late
What assumption could change your conclusion, and what evidence would you check first?
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer programmers.
Level 4: Redesign a floor layout to take advantage of new manufacturing techniques
Level 2: Lay out tools to complete a job
How would you separate the problem into parts and compare possible explanations?
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer programmers.
Level 4: Assess new parts for precision and accuracy to specifications
Level 2: Inspect a draft email for errors (e.g., grammar, punctuation)
What is being checked, what defines a defect, and what evidence would be retained?
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer programmers.
Level 4: Understand an email from management describing new personnel policies
Level 2: Read step-by-step instructions for completing a form
Which instruction, constraint or exception in a document would you need to explain accurately?
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer programmers.
Level 4: Determine how a new piece of equipment will affect production rates
Level 2: Determine how loss of a team member will affect the completion of a job
What inputs, outputs and dependencies would you map before proposing a change?
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer programmers.
Level 4: Write an email to staff outlining new directives
Level 2: Write down a guest's order at a restaurant
What document would another person need, and how would you check that they could act on it?
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer programmers.
Level 4: Evaluate a loan application for degree of risk
Level 2: Decide how scheduling a break will affect work flow
Which options, constraints and consequences would you compare, and what could change the choice?
Operations Analysis
Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer programmers.
Level 4: Suggest changes in software to make a system more user friendly
Level 2: Select a printer for an office
Which requirements and constraints must a solution meet before options are compared?
Review the result
Your plan should explain why the selected skills matter for your chosen task, what you will do next and what evidence you will examine. Revisit the plan after that activity. Completing a worksheet or matching an occupation’s ratings does not establish professional competence.
Keep your worksheet
Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.
Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.