Task Analysis

NAJRAN UNIVERSITY
csc328

Omar Abdulrahman

What well cover

Principles f P i i l of ethnography Use cases Several types of task analysis:
Environment Hierarchical Operational sequence p q Workload analysis

Ethnography

Principles of ethnography
Use extended direct observation of the target culture to understand tacit behavior Do t t t ith h D not start with hypotheses and use a semi-structured th d i t t d approach Observe how artifacts are used to accomplish real goals Do not distort the meaning of the target cultures language through a literal translation into the investigator s investigators language or terms Learn to speak the target cultures language Do not have implicit assumptions that might bias interpretation, and test explicit assumptions rigorously i t t ti dt t li it ti i l
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Use cases

Introduction to Use Cases

A representation of a goal oriented task based set goal-oriented, task-based of interactions between Actors and the System Actors are parties outside the System that interact p y with the System (e.g., users or other systems) Two types of Actors
Primary requires the assistance of the System Pi i th i t f th S t Secondary provides assistance to the System

Use case summary statement: y

Who (Actor) does what (interaction) with the System, for what purpose (goal), without dealing with the Systems internals or details of a particular interface implementation p p
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Use cases

How to construct a use case

Begin with a particular user goal State preconditions Include a sequence of interactions between the actor and the system (called narrative narrative body)
Many narrative styles Choose the style most Ch th t l t understandable to anticipated users

A point of care cart by AFC Industries

End when goal is satisfied State postconditions

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Use cases

Example: ATM
Goal: Obtain $100 in cash Preconditions: Actor has card, knows PIN, has cash in account 1a. Actor A t Presents card System S t 1b. Reads/validates account # 1c. Requests PIN 1 R t 2a. 2b. Enters PIN Indicates PIN entered

2c. Reads/validates PIN 2d. Presents action choices . . . . Postconditions: Actor has $100 in cash, System ensures account balance is decremented by $100

Use cases

Example: Uploading flight E l U l di fli ht plans to a UAV

Goal: Program the UAV to fly a particular pattern Preconditions: Actor has booted up System, aircraft is ready System Actor
1a. Enters command to set waypoint 1b. Indicates readiness to accept waypoint 2a. Enters 1st waypoint 2b. Indicates 1st waypoint entry done 2c. Reads/validates 2 R d / lid t wapoint i t 3a. Repeats 2a - c for other waypoints 4a. Enters command to upload waypoints 4b. Indicates 4b I di t new fli ht path i active flight th is ti

System

Postconditions: Aircraft will fly designated pattern

Photo: Lou Nocca
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Task analysis

Well cover four types

Work W k environment analysis i t l i Hierarchical task analysis Operational sequence diagrams Workload diagrams g

At Scripps Institute of Oceanography, researchers d h developed a mouse th t l d that can be used under water (photo courtesy of Scripps Institute) 8

Task analysis

Work environment analysis

Describe physical layout
Typical office or not? Noise? Lighting? Interruptions?

Describe atmosphere Describe socio-cultural environment Draw implications for interface design See S pages 107 - 111 i in Mayhew for example

UPS drivers use a handheld computer while standing and walking outside

Task analysis

Example work environment analysis: UAV SAR

Physical layout y y
Outside; could be cold No precipitation (a/c cant fly)

Atmosphere At h
Tense, life and death situation On your own, far from support

Socio-cultural environment
First responders are resourceful, professional, professional self-reliant
Photo: Lou Nocca

Implications for interface design

Reliable Efficient to operate Prevents errors Minimizes cognitive load Contains highly visible controls Able to be worked using gloves 10

Task analysis

Hierarchical task analysis

Start by identifying b i St t b id tif i basic user tasks from t k f observation/interview materials Take each high-level activity goal and high level
Identify the major steps needed to do the activity In cases where there are alternative ways to do the task, identify plans (sequences of steps) plans Keep decomposing steps until you get to the lowest level description that makes sense for your analysis

Refine by working directly with users

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Task analysis

Example: Borrow a library book (Sharp et al.)

access catalog 2 1 2.1

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Task analysis

Example: UAV Search-and-Rescue (SAR) Mission

Assumes: batteries are charged, team is already g , y at rescue site base, frequency notification is posted, and equipment is unpacked p

UAV SAR (0)

Scope: from after i t k d equipment was unpacked at site but not assembled, through landing of aircraft

Prepare for mission (1.0)

Execute mission (2.0)

Prepare Equipq p ment (1.1)

Prepare Aircraft (1.2)

Prepare Mission Parameters (1.3)

Launch Aircraft (2.1)

Monitor Mission (2.2)

Land Aircraft (2.3)

Tasks based on my experience flying Procerus Unmanned (uninhabited!) Air Vehicles

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Task analysis

Example: UAV Search-and-Rescue (SAR) Mission

UAV SAR (0)

Prepare for mission (1.0) (1 0)

Prepare P Equipment (1.1)

Prepare P Aircraft (1.2)

Prepare P Mission Parameters (1.3)

Insert Batteries (1.1.1)

Cable Together Equipmt (1.1.2)

Turn On & Distribute WalkieTalkies (1.1.3)

Insert a/c Batteries (1.2.1)

Trim Aircraft (1.2.2)

Pitot Tube Test (1.2.3)

Enter Waypts (1.3.1)

Zero Attitude (1.3.2)

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Task analysis

Example: UAV Search-and-Rescue (SAR) Mission

UAV SAR (0)

Execute mission (2.0)

Launch Aircraft (2.1)

Monitor Mission (2.2)

Land Aircraft (2.3)

Move to launch point (2.1.1) (2 1 1)

Toss A/C (2.1.2)

Switch to Computer in Control (2.1.3) (2 1 3)

Monitor Status (2.2.1)

Watch Video for Victims (2.2.2) (2 2 2)

Change Course as Needed (2.2.3) (2 2 3)

Send land command ( (2.3.1) )

Force A/C Down with Radio cntl (2.3.2) (2 3 2)

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PLAN: if conditions turn unfavorable, immediately begin landing sequence (2.3)

Watch battery level (2.2.1.1) Ensure GPS lock (2.2.1.2) Monitor weather (2.2.1.3)

Enter loiter point if evidence of victim nearby (2.2.3.1) Upload loiter point (2.2.3.2)

Task analysis

Operational sequence diagrams for describing O ti l di f d ibi team members actions

Graphic presentation of user tasks as they relate sequentially Facilitates showing what multiple team members are doing simultaneously Shows ti i Sh timing, decision points, type of action d i i i t t f ti Purpose:
Useful for analyzing complex systems requiring timetime critical decision making Enables analysts to tease apart which team members are doing what, and when they are doing it
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Task analysis

Example
Illustration shows actions by two crew members during d i a oneminute period

Legend is on next page

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Task analysis

Example

Legend for operational sequence diagram example

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Task analysis

Example: UAV preparation

Illustration shows actions by two crew members to check and if and, necessary, zero the attitude adjustment setting in tti i response to a checklist item Crew #2 h ld C holds the aircraft while Crew #1 checks g the setting
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Task analysis

Introduction to team workload analysis

Need to know what the team is doing at any given time, so start with operational sequence diagrams Then characterize how busy each operator is at each y p moment based on direct observations
Are they manipulating an input device, monitoring the external situation, making a decision, or simply waiting? Could they do something more, or are they fully occupied? Use estimates: 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% occupied

Purpose: P
See where bottlenecks/overloads exist that could be alleviated by less workload-intense approach Determine if work could be redesigned to be done by fewer people

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Task analysis

Example: Tank operations

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Summary

What you should concentrate on

The basic idea behind ethnography How t write a use case H to it How to use interview and observation data to create a:
Work environment analysis Hierarchical task analysis

Know the purposes of, and how to interpret (given a legend):

Operational sequence diagrams Workload analysis diagrams

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