Monday, Feb. 3

Task Analysis (60)

McMurrey and Powell (5)

• Task Analysis

  • • primarily from HCI

    • in the text, focus on digital interfaces

    • also applicable to physical tools and technologies

• Identify Tasks

  • • study how users do the task

    • interview users

    • watch users

    • interview marketing and product development

    • interview help-desk representatives

    • study a digital interface

      • • consider menu options

        • consider interactive icons

• Approaches to Documentation

  • • Function orientation: explains the options and icons

    • Task orientation: explains how users complete tasks

      • • McMurrey and Powell prefer task-orientation

Task Analysis Activity

Watch and Take Notes (20)

Watch Video 1: Alternative Brewing (4:00)

Compare Notes (2)

Watch Video 2: Prima (2:30)

Compare Notes (2)

Watch Video 3: Sunny Square (4:30)

Compare Notes (2)

Discussion Similarities and Differences (10)

• What did every demonstration do?

• What differences did you notice:

  • in materials or tools?

  • in steps?

  • in techniques?

• What key steps MUST be included in a description of the task?

• What steps would you need to interview users about, or do additional research?

Class Discussion (5)

Create a Visual that Decomposes the Task of Making Espresso Using the Tool (10)

Share the visual with me!