Task Analysis lab
Frank Ritter
5 feb 08

Purposes
=======

to understand several TA methods enough to choose between them

to do a task analysis

learn a TA tool

Reflect upon the role of TA in the RD-ICM, and in HCI in general.


Lab
===

1.  Choose a TA method (this can be GOMS, KLM, HTA, Cognitive TA, PSCM, or another approach), and in one page, note why you chose that method.
    
2.  Note the tool that you will use to represent your TA and why you chose it.  This tool can be Herbal [link], that other tool, or another tool (XL, dismal, etc.).  

   In the Herbal manual, this would be chapters 1-3, and 4.1-4.5 and 4.11-4.12. 4.6-4.10 are optional and may or may apply to your analysis. 
   Here, an agent would be a task, problem spaces is a subtask, and an operator is a step.

3.  Describe your TA representation in 1-3 paragraphs.  This is to briefly describe it and to avoid later misunderstandings about it.  (this might merge with #1.)

4.  Describe how you gathered your materials.  This can include self-reflection, VPA, interviews, observation, keystroke logs, manuals, instructional materials, or other approaches.

5.  Give your task analysis.

6.  Note what you have learned, and the implications for the project you are doing, and the implications for the field (if appropriate). 


Overall, this might be about 5-10 pages.  Over 15 and you are doing too much work.