Task analysis is an observation-based
technique that elicits knowledge from the users for whom a product
is intended. First, the researchers have to familiarize themselves
with the product domain so that they can converse knowledgeably
with these users. After this initial period of discovery, they
interview actual and/or target users of the product for 2 - 3
hours apiece. All users are asked some scripted questions, but
the interviews have a relatively unstructured format. The lack
of a sequential format helps ensure that the users' normal task
flow is reflected rather than the researchers' preconceptions.
Some of the crucial information that task analysis aims to uncover
(at a minimum):
- who the different groups
of users are and how they differ
- which tasks are performed
by each specific group of users
- which tasks they must
perform
- which tasks they perform
frequently
- how they currently perform
each important or frequent task
- what sequence they perform
these tasks in
- which measures of user
performance (accuracy, speed, etc.) are relevant
Researchers familiarize themselves with the product
domain so that they can converse knowledgeably with these users.
Then they interview actual and/or product target users who are asked
scripted questions -- the interviews have a relatively unstructured
format. The lack of a sequential format helps ensure that the users'
normal task flow is reflected rather than the researchers' preconceptions.
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