How Shall We Define Human Performance Technology?

As human performance technology (HPT) has evolved, numerous documented definitions of the field have been proposed but none has achieved authoritative status. Content analysis of 31 published definitions using the criteria of comprehensiveness, nontautologicality, insider acceptance, and appeal to outsiders reveals that the current HPT definitional statements are not preferable based on the definition review criteria. In addition, none of the definitions meets the criterion of appealing to outsiders. Based on the results, we discussed implications of the findings and suggested a new definition of HPT.