Task Analysis

 

The task analysis is a straightforward tool for understanding and assessing human tasks. The overall goal is to understand the tasks people do and identify where people may be having an issue. Gillan (2012) describes a task analysis in two parts: the task and the analysis.

 

A task can be thought of as accomplishing a single major goal. Typically, there are a number of sub goals that must be completed in order to reach the overall objective. These sub goals are the steps needed to complete the task. A task analysis breaks down the overall goal into its components needed to complete it. However, the task analysis does not stop there.

 

The analysis section is where the understanding of problem areas for accomplishing the task comes from. The goal of the analysis is typically, to describe the relationship among the sub goals. This can be accomplished in a few different ways. Such as, understanding how the steps are completed spatially, temporally, or physically. Essentially assessing what is being demanded of the human performing the task. Other areas could include causally or semantically.

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Some more useful information on how to do a Task Analysis as well as different methods are:

• Summary of the Steps in a Task Analysis (Gillan, 2012)

• GOMS Model (John & Kieras, 1996)

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Gillan, D. J. (2012). Fie questions concerning task analysis. In M. A. Wilson (Ed.), The handbook of work analysis: methods, systems, applications and science of work measurement in organizations (pp. 201–213). New York, NY: Routledge.

 

John, B. E., & Kieras, D. E. (1996). The GOMS family of user interface analysis techniques: comparison and contrast. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 3(4), 320–351.