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Task Analysis

Task Analysis. Analyzing and representing the activities of your users. Project Part 1 reminder. Due Sept. 20 (2 weeks!) READ description and template Focus on the problem, not the solution Start gathering your data now! Ask for help and feedback Good communication skills are key

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Task Analysis

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  1. Task Analysis Analyzing and representing the activities of your users

  2. Project Part 1 reminder • Due Sept. 20 (2 weeks!) • READ description and template • Focus on the problem, not the solution • Start gathering your data now! • Ask for help and feedback • Good communication skills are key • And please spell and grammar check

  3. Describing requirements activities • Narratives • Personas • Scenarios • Task Analysis & other task descriptions • Use Cases • Workflow • ER diagrams

  4. Scenario Example • Register for classes • What kinds of activities could we write a scenario about? • Let’s write one together

  5. Use Case • Description of a user’s goal in using a system • Focuses on user-system interaction • One path through a use case is sometimes called a scenario • Often presented as a series of steps • Diagram of actors and use cases

  6. Use Case Diagram

  7. Use Case example Arrange Meeting 1. The user chooses the option to arrange a meeting. 2. The system prompts user for the names of attendees. 3. The user types in a list of names. 4. The system checks that the list is valid. 5. The system prompts the user for meeting constraints. 6. The user types in meeting constraints. 7. The system searches the calendars for a date that satisfies the constraints. 8. The system displays a list of potential dates. 9. The user chooses one of the dates. 10. The system writes the meeting into the calendar. 11. The system emails all the meeting participants informing them of them appointment

  8. Task Analysis • Process of analyzing and documenting how people perform their jobs or activities • Task-subtask decomposition

  9. Task Decomposition • Break tasks down into subtasks • Continue for as many levels as needed • …how many are needed? • Not just for computer tasks, but any sort of activity • Easily supports sequential tasks • Can support parallel tasks & branching • Difficult to represent exceptions, errors

  10. Task Model as an Outline - Example Using a lawnmower to cut grass Step 1. Examine lawn Make sure grass is dry Look for objects laying in the grass Step 2. Inspect lawnmower Check components for tightness Check that grass bag handle is securely fastened to the grass bag support Make sure grass bag connector is securely fastened to bag adaptor Make sure that deck cover is in place Check for any loose parts (such as oil caps) Check to make sure blade is attached securely Check engine oil level Remove oil fill cap and dipstick Wipe dipstick Replace dipstick completely in lawnmower Remove dipstick Check that oil is past the level line on dipstick …

  11. Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) • Graphical notation & decomposition of tasks • Goals – what the user wants to achieve • Tasks – do these to achieve the goals • Subtasks – lower-level tasks • Tasks organized into plans • Clusters of subtasks with a preferred order and prerequisite conditions

  12. Task Model - Borrow Book • Sequences added as annotations Goal Tasks to complete goal Subtasks to carry out one task From Interaction Design, Preece Rogers and Sharp

  13. Another representation 0. In order to borrow a book from the library 1. go to the library 2. find the required book 2.1 access library catalogue 2.2 access the search screen 2.3 enter search criteria 2.4 identify required book 2.5 note location 3. go to correct shelf and retrieve book 4. take book to checkout counter

  14. HTA: Types of Plans • Fixed sequence • Optional tasks • Waiting events • Cycles • Time-sharing • Discretionary

  15. Example • Register for classes

  16. Other task representations • Flow charts • Ordering of task steps, can be complex • Includes decisions logic and information • Many tools to support • Workflow • Flow of documents through people and activities • Entity Relationship Diagrams • Show objects and their relationships • About relations, not procedures

  17. Flow Chart Example Start Continue? Document Manual Operation Y Input N Display End

  18. Workflow Example - Document Flow Create Travel Request (Traveler) Ensure Funds Available (Accounting) Approval (Dean) Notification of Approval (Dean) No Funds Notification of Approval (Dean) Make Trip (Traveler) Complete Expense Report (Traveler) Approval (Accounting) Etc

  19. From Interaction Design, Preece Rogers and Sharp

  20. Entity Relationship Diagrams • Object Oriented Models • Objects/people with links to related objects • Stress relationship between objects and actions • Links describe functionally and in terms of strength • About relations, not procedures • Complements HTA & flow charts

  21. Object Model: ATM • Objects • Account, ATM machine, ATM card, customer • Relations • Customer has one or more accounts • ATM machine accesses account • Actions on objects • Account: deposit($), withdraw($), balance • ATM machine: authenticate, dispense($), print receipt • Etc

  22. Beyond Requirements • Task analysis throughout life cycle: • Describe and document design ideas • Help design menu, dialog structure • Help create documentation and help • Task descriptions can be given at any necessary abstraction level

  23. Your turn • Create a scenario describing a CURRENT bus activity that would help describe requirements information for a bus locator service • Create an HTA of that same activity • Create ER diagram of entities involved in that activity • Is Workflow or Flow chart applicable?

  24. Summary • Determine what data you need • Gather it using various appropriate methods and techniques • Represent the tasks and subtasks, plus other related information • Use this data as basis for design • Note: Be efficient!

  25. Assignment: Persona • Think about all the characteristics of a user that may be important to your problem • Be specific but representative • You should create multiple personas for different types of users • So what should distinguish each one?

  26. Next assignment: Scenario • Similar to persona, but focus is on a task • Next next assignment: task analysis • Do an HTA for a task/activity for your project • Activity is how it currently exists, NOT what it would be like with you new system

  27. Exercise: Movie Ticket Kiosk • What data gathering techniques would you use? Who would you interact with? • Who are the stakeholders? • What are typical user characteristics? • What is physical/social/technical environment? • What is a typical scenario of use? • What is an atypical or problem scenario? • What would you represent using HTA? • What could you represent using ER diagram? • What could you represent using flowchart?

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