Job depth definition
/What is Job Depth?
Job depth is the amount of authority and responsibility associated with a job. Increasing levels of authority and responsibility give an employee more control over how decisions are made and the manner in which work is performed. This approach is most successful when accompanied by ongoing feedback regarding a person’s performance. For example, a production worker can develop alternative ways to manufacture a product.
Example of Job Depth
As an example of low job depth, a software developer is tasked with coding based on strict specifications provided by his manager. He only writes and debugs code, with no involvement in deciding how to approach the problem, selecting tools, or participating in discussions about the broader project.
As an example of high job depth, a software developer is responsible for the entire lifecycle of a feature. This includes engaging with stakeholders to understand requirements, designing the architecture, selecting appropriate tools, implementing the solution, testing it, and monitoring its performance after deployment. She also has the freedom to innovate, make decisions, and propose new features or optimizations.
Advantages of Increased Job Depth
A high level of job depth typically leads to enhanced worker satisfaction, which in turn reduces employee turnover. This can trigger a substantial decline in hiring costs, since fewer new employees need to be hired. It also increases the level of employee knowledge retained within the company (which can increase efficiency), since fewer people are leaving.