Task Analysis

Goals

This process focusses on learning how people complete tasks. Here are some specific details of the task that might be learned (see Kuniavsky, pp. 184-185 for a more complete list):

• What tools are available? How are they chosen?
• What are common actions? How long do they take?
• How variable is the process?
• Where are mistakes made? What are the risks for failure?

Note that Kirwan and Ainsworth provide detailed processes for task analysis in their book A Guide to Task Analysis.

Properties

• Data is generally obtained from observation but could also be based on interviews, questionnaires and contextual inquiry.
• Consists of task decomposition and task analysis

Task decomposition

List primitive actions for analysis. For each action, consider its properties:

• Purpose
• Cues
• Objects
• Method
• Options

Task Analysis

• Hierarchical task analysis lists actions in terms of goals and subgoals.
• Algorithmic task analysis (my term) uses a flow chart to show how actions achieve task.

Items for discussion

• What user research questions does task analysis answer?
• Where does task analysis fit into the design process?
• What resources are required?