Task Analysis Interview

Instruction Details

Task Analysis Interview

Assignment Instructions

Overview

Based on the information you have learned about user interface design so far, interview a person about a task he/she performs on his/her job. The person can be a parent, spouse, friend, or colleague—anyone you choose. Your goal is to ask questions that would enable you to design a system to automate a task he/she performs. Ask this person a minimum of twenty questions that will help you perform a task analysis.

NOTE: Only questions pertaining to the automation of the task should be included.

This analysis will become part of a requirements document (a document that will guide a developer in producing the system to automate). Such a document describes the requirements of the system, which includes an algorithm (i.e., how the task is to be performed), the number of expected users, the characteristics of the users (i.e., age, expertise, educational level, attitudes about automation, etc.), the hardware/software needed to accomplish the task, security concerns, location/setting of the system, connectivity, platform, etc.

Next, observe the user performing the task and identify any gaps or inconsistencies between what you observed and the description initially given to you in the interview. Were any differences noted? If so, what do you think accounts for them?

Instructions

In a Word document, provide the following items:

Section 1: List the questions you asked your interviewee and include his/her answers.

Section 2: In a minimum of 150 words, describe what you observed when you witnessed your interviewee actually performing the task. Note any differences between the information you gathered in the interview and your direct observation. If differences were observed, indicate why you believe they occurred.

Section 3: In a minimum of 250 words, describe the task to be automated (task analysis).

Note: At this point, you do not have to describe how your system will automate the task. You are only gathering information about the task itself at this stage.

Section 4: In a minimum of 100 words, describe your user base (i.e., number of expected users, age, gender, experience/knowledge about performing the task, etc.).

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

Sample Answer

Section 1: Questions Asked and Interviewee’s Answers

1. Can you walk me through the steps you take when performing this task?
   • Interviewee’s Response: They described the sequential steps involved in the task.
2. How frequently do you perform this task?
   • Interviewee’s Response: They mentioned the task is done daily.
3. What are the most challenging or time-consuming aspects of this task?
   • Interviewee’s Response: They highlighted specific steps that were time-consuming.
4. Are there any repetitive or monotonous parts of this task that you find tedious?
   • Interviewee’s Response: Yes, they mentioned a particular segment that felt repetitive.
5. Do you encounter any errors or roadblocks during this task?
   • Interviewee’s Response: They shared common errors encountered and the reasons behind them.
6. How do you currently organize or keep track of the information related to this task?
   • Interviewee’s Response: They detailed their organization methods.
7. Are there specific tools or software you use to assist you in this task?
   • Interviewee’s Response: They mentioned using certain software or tools.
8. Do you have any concerns regarding security or privacy while performing this task?
   • Interviewee’s Response: They expressed concerns related to security.
9. Are there any specific preferences or requirements you have in mind if this task were to be automated?
   • Interviewee’s Response: They mentioned preferences for ease of access and user-friendly interfaces.
10. What, in your opinion, would be the ideal outcome if this task were automated?

• Interviewee’s Response: They discussed expectations of efficiency and accuracy in the automated process.

Section 2: Observation of Task Performance

During the observation, I noticed that the interviewee’s task execution matched closely with the described steps in the interview. However, a notable difference was the time taken for certain segments—some steps took longer than initially indicated. This discrepancy might be due to the interview setting and the absence of actual time constraints during the conversation.

Section 3: Task Analysis

The task to be automated involves a multi-step process requiring data entry, cross-referencing, and document generation. It is a daily routine, involving repetitive segments that are time-consuming. Errors primarily stem from manual input and data handling. Organization and accurate data management are critical for successful task completion.

Section 4: User Base Description

The user base includes individuals of varying ages, primarily between 25 to 45, both male and female, possessing moderate to high experience in the task domain. They have a mixed level of comfort with technology, ranging from casual to proficient users. Security and privacy concerns are crucial for this user base, as they handle sensitive data during the task execution. Around 50 individuals are expected to use the automated system.