Task analysis
Summary
Task analysis analyses what a user is required to do in terms
of actions and/or cognitive processes to achieve a task. A
detailed task analysis can be conducted to understand the
current system and the information flows within it. These
information flows are important to the maintenance of the
existing system and must be incorporated or substituted in
any new system. Task analysis makes it possible to design
and allocate tasks appropriately within the new system. The
functions to be included within the system and the user interface
can then be accurately specified.
Benefits
Provides knowledge of the tasks that the user wishes to perform.
Thus it is a reference against which the value of the system
functions and features can be tested.
But note that according to the USERfit guide:
The reader should be aware that task analysis can be a
very time consuming activity if used with a high degree
of detail on complex problems. ... It is possible to get
caught in what is loosely termed ‘analysis paralysis’,
where more and more detail is investigated.
Method
Task decomposition
The aim of ‘high level task decomposition’ is to decompose
the high level tasks and break them down into their constituent
subtasks and operations. This will show an overall structure
of the main user tasks. At a lower level it may be desirable
to show the task flows, decision processes and even screen
layouts (see task flow analysis, below)
The process of task decomposition is best represented as
a structure chart (similar to that used in Hierarchical Task
Analysis). This shows the sequencing of activities by ordering
them from left to right. In order to break down a task, the
question should be asked ‘how is this task done?’. If a sub-task
is identified at a lower level, it is possible to build up
the structure by asking ‘why is this done?’. The task decomposition
can be carried out using the following stages:
1. Identify the task to be analysed.
2. Break this down into between 4 and 8 subtasks. These
subtasks should be specified in terms of objectives and, between
them, should cover the whole area of interest.
3. Draw the subtasks as a layered diagram ensuring that
it is complete.
4. Decide upon the level of detail into which to decompose.
Making a conscious decision at this stage will ensure that
all the subtask decompositions are treated consistently. It
may be decided that the decomposition should continue until
flows are more easily represented as a task flow diagram.
5. Continue the decomposition process, ensuring that the
decompositions and numbering are consistent. It is usually
helpful to produce a written account as well as the decomposition
diagram.
6. Present the analysis to someone else who has not been
involved in the decomposition but who knows the tasks well
enough to check for consistency.
Task flow diagrams
Task flow analysis will document the details of specific
tasks. It can include details of interactions between the
user and the current system, or other individuals, and any
problems related to them. Copies of screens from the current
system may also be taken to provide details of interactive
tasks. Task flows will not only show the specific details
of current work processes but may also highlight areas where
task processes are poorly understood, are carried out differently
by different staff, or are inconsistent with the higher level
task structure.
More information
USERfit: Task analysis
A detailed description of how to carry out task analysis
Crystal, A & Ellington, B (2004). Task
analysis and human-computer interaction: approaches, techniques,
and levels of analysis Proceedings of the Tenth Americas Conference on Information
Systems, New York, August 2004.
A comparison of hierarchical and cognitive task analysis.
Hackos, J. & Redish, J. (1998). User and Task Analysis
for Interface Design. Chichester: Wiley.
Crandall, B., Klein, G., Hoffman, R. R. (2006). Working
Minds: A Practitioner's Guide to Cognitive Task Analysis.
MIT Press.
"This is an important book for the engineering of complex
systems and information technology systems."
Tools
TaskArchitect is
a tool that supports Heirarchical Task Analysis.
Variations
If the tasks are already well understood, it may be sufficient
to just identify and document the tasks as part of context
analysis.
Next steps
If other requirements activities
are complete, move on to design.
Background reading
Shepherd, A. (1985). Hierarchical task analysis and training
decisions. Programmed Learning and Educational Technology,
22, 162-176.
Shepherd, A. (1989). Analysis and training in information
technology tasks. In D. Diaper, Ed. Task Analysis for Human-Computer
Interaction, pp.15-55. Chichester: Ellis Horwood.
Nielsen, J (1994) Extending Task Analysis to 
Predict Things People May Want to Do |
