The core idea
The model links five job characteristics—skill variety, task identity, task significance, autonomy and feedback—to psychological states and work outcomes. Variety, identity and significance contribute to experienced meaningfulness; autonomy to responsibility; feedback to knowledge of results. Individual and contextual differences affect responses. The sketch is a compressed conceptual map, not a validated assessment instrument or a reproduction of the original scoring model.
Source and attribution [1]Using it in practice
Observe the job from end to end. Can someone see a complete piece of work, understand who benefits, make relevant decisions and learn whether the result was useful? Redesign the workflow with the people doing it. Add resources and decision rights alongside responsibility. Evaluate the effect on handoffs and workload so a richer role does not create confusion elsewhere.
An example, not a reported case
Worked example · illustrative
A payroll assistant processes isolated corrections with little feedback. The team gives them ownership of a defined monthly exception process, contact with internal customers and a review of recurring errors. They gain clearer task identity and feedback while escalation boundaries remain explicit. Success means fewer repeat errors and a manageable role, not simply more tasks assigned to the same person.
What to watch for
Enrichment is not universally welcome or sufficient. Working conditions, relationships and personal preferences also matter, and autonomy must fit genuine safety constraints.
Take it into your next conversation
Three useful questions.
- Can people see the purpose and result?
- Which decisions can move closer to the work?
- What support makes responsibility manageable?
Related terms
Go to the evidence
Sources & attribution
[1] Hackman & Oldham (1976). Motivation through the design of work: test of a theory. ↗
The core idea is an original summary of the cited work. Application notes, examples and sketches are our interpretations, not quotations or reproductions of the authors’ figures. Publisher records may require access to read the full original work.
Published 2026-09-20 · Reviewed 2026-09-20. Editorial approach