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Usability methods explained: Task analysis
by: pidoco1 on
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2010 Time: 4:52 AM
What is task analysis?
Task analysis is a usability method that can assist you with the creation of excellent user interface designs. In addition, you can use the information obtained from a task analysis to design usability tests for your interface design(https://pidoco.com/). Task analysis is the thorough investigation of all the important factors related to the achievement of a given task. These factors include catalogued descriptions of manual and mental activities, environmental conditions, task duration, task allocation, and task complexity. Task analysis is concerned with ascertaining the most in depth understanding possible pertaining to how people perform jobs and what materials, tangible and intangible, they need to perform them well. Task analysis is a byproduct of Applied Behavioral Analysis, which was established as a theory in the field of psychology by Montrose Wolf, Donald Baer, and Todd Risely in 1968.
What are the benefits of task analysis?
The information gathered during a task analysis can be extremely helpful when planning a new user interface design. Since usability is at the crux of interface design, it is crucial for you to find usability methods that provide you with detailed information on how to design and/or improve your product. Task analysis is especially helpful because as a usability method it allows you to understand the requirements relating to the flow of information within your system relative to the cognitive reasoning, expectations, and needs of your users. Your task analysis can serve as a reference for testing the usability and value of the system functions and features of your fledgling interface design.
How to conduct a task analysis
Task analysis is a complete deconstruction of the tasks users need to perform using your proposed or existing user interface design. The results can guide you in the design or improvement of your user interface. When embarking on a task analysis, be sure to remember that your goal should always be to understand the use of your interface design relative to the cognitive task performance and understanding of your users. Task analysis is relatively simple in theory, but can be arduous in practice. This is because detailed analysis is the focal point of a task analysis—the more painstakingly thorough you are with your investigation, the more relevant information you obtain that will lay a strong foundation for the creation of a successful user interface design(https://pidoco.com/). So be prepared to spend a lot of time within the confines of inquiry.
When organizing a task analysis, follow these steps:
1. Assemble a group of 4-10 people (people can correspond with the amount of subtasks if you choose)
2. Choose the task you want to analyze as a group (pretty self-explanatory).
3. Break this task down into 4-10 ‘subtasks’. These subtasks should be logical and specified in terms of objectives. Make sure that your subtasks contribute to the overall synergy of the original task in question. Each group member should be responsible for a subtask.
4. You can draw (or even wireframe) your subtasks as a diagram to ensure that all categories and objectives are relevant and logical.
5. Commence with the ‘decomposition process’. Each group member should hypothesize the various ways in which users can perform tasks by testing out different methods on themselves or other group members. Make sure that your detailed analysis of job performance corresponds to cognitive reasoning. Encourage all group members to be as detailed as possible.
6. Discuss results and determine ways to incorporate the information gathered from your task analysis into your user interface design.
Task Analysis Pitfalls
Task analysis allows you to build a model that organizes all the relevant information related to a task that needs to be accomplished by your users. However, the cognitive nature of this information means that a task analysis is more psychological than technological—the results are rather abstract. Thus, task analysis cannot really help you tackle technical or design questions outside the realm of direct user behavior information. The results have to be “translated” into a great user interface design.
Task analysis can also be tricky because it requires a very in depth analysis of very small tasks. This can be time consuming, so make sure that when you are conducting this type of usability method, you choose a group of patient and focused participants.
About the Author
Pidoco.com – interface design(https://pidoco.com/), Wireframe Software, Wireframe Tools, Interface Design Software, Clickable Wireframes, Usability Testing(https://pidoco.com/en/benefits/products/remote-usability-tester) and GUI Prototyping Tool. Fast wireframe creation and remote website usability testing lead to an improved conversion!
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