CHAPTER 15: TASK ANALYSIS Flashcards
is the process of analyzing the way people perform their jobs: the things they do, the things they act on and the things they need to know.
Task Analysis
which looks at the way a task is split into subtasks, and the order in which these are performed.
Task decomposition
which look at what users need to know about the objects and actions involved in a task, and how that knowledge is organized.
Knowledge-based techniques
which is an object-based approach where the emphasis is on identifying the actors and objects, the relationships between them and the actions they perform.
Entity-relationship-based analysis
is not limited to activities including a computer, although (again like systems analysis) the intention is usually that a computer system will be installed.
Task analysis
is there specifically to recognize the importance of the user.
task analysis
more one of observing the user from the outside and will include actions, such as retrieval of a document from a filing cabinet, which would never be included in a GOMS analysis.
task analysis
therefore tends to look more at the observable behavior of users than their internal mental state.
task analysis
decomposed into several subtasks
Task Decomposition
is typical of such an approach
Hierarchical task analysis (HTA) i
is used to denote the levels in the task hierarchy, and the tasks are also numbered to emphasize this hierarchy.
Indentation
look at what users need to know about the objects and actions
involved in a task, and how that knowledge is organized.
KNOWLEDGE-BASED ANALYSIS
-begins by listing all the objects and actions involved in the task,
and then building taxonomies of them - for example, by ensuring
that related objects or actions are grouped together sensibly,
and that all important objects are represented at the interface.
KNOWLEDGE-BASED ANALYSIS
are used to represent levels of abstraction
TAXONOMIES
normal taxonomy, object in one and only one branch
XOR
object must be in both, multiple classifications
AND
weakest case, can be in one, many, or none
OR
which is an object-based approach where the emphasis is on
identifying the actors and objects, the relationships between them
and the actions they perform.
ENTITY-RELATIONSHIP-BASED TECHNIQUES
can be used to model the relationships
between the tasks being performed, the users performing them, and
the tools or systems used to complete them.
ENTITY-RELATIONSHIP-BASED TECHNIQUES
Emphasis on objects, actions and their relationships
ENTITY-RELATIONSHIP-BASED TECHNIQUES
who performs the actions
agent
which is changed by the action
patient
used to perform action
instrument
the easisest source of data for the analyst is the existing manuals, instruction book-lets, training amterials etc. for the task
documentation
whether formal or informal, is essential if the analyst is to get an understanding of the task situation
observation
analyst can simply spend time watching people and chatting just to get the feel of the task
observation
questioning domain experts is often a direct and quick way to get information about a task
interveiws
tasking interview questions based on the resume, roles and responsibilities of the job profile, are the first and last stage of interview
telephonic interview
the candidate and interviewer meet in person to discuss your profile
face to face interview
can be considered as the substitute for the face-to-face interview since it has a similar purpose
video interview
some of the earliest techniques in task analysis were aimed at teaching novices how to perform a task
manuals and tuition
