Task analysis

The term “task analysis” describes methods that deal with the analysis and design of tasks in the man-machine interaction.  They focus on usability from the viewpoint of tasks that should be solved using the system; it is an important part of the user-centered development process. It can be applied from early development stages on.

"ACTUAL STATE" - ANALYSIS

In an actual state - analysis, task analysts break down the tasks of real operators into subtasks, and finally, into specific actions and operations that are described in detail.  It is based on the data collected through on-site examinations or observational interviews. The hierarchical breakdown of the tasks allow the analyst to assess the action steps either separately or accumulated regarding different measures ( i.e. execution time ).

Benefit

The task analysis can be used to identify the requirements of a specific task. This can be used in an additional design step to derive the objectives of usage that the product is supposed to fulfill in a specific field of application; thus, the range of functions of the product can be projected in a fitting way.

A multitude of human factors-related questions can be worked at and answered based on task analyses: depending on the question, the focus of the analysis can be, among others,

• Designing the range of functions and control concepts
• The user knowledge required, and therefore, possible training requirements
• The conceptual and physical fitting between user and system
• Identification of requirements out of the application context

SERVICES

Our experts at HFC are experienced in conducting task analysis in several industries, including the automotive sector, aviation, air traffic control and the rail sector. We offer our state-of-the-art task analysis service, which includes:

• Definition of the goal of the analysis
• Conduct of observational interviews and on-site analyses
• Transcription, systematization and documentation of the results
• Deduction of human factors requirements and design suggestions

Target Concepts

As the next step in the evolution of task analysis, HFC is currently developing the software-tool OSAMOS, that goes beyond the Actual State Analysis and allows the modeling and evaluation of Target-concepts for the man-machine interaction.