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Group Task Analysis

Group Task Analysis. Alfred Kobsa University of California, Irvine. How do users complete their tasks? (work flow). Users’ overall goals How they currently approach the task Information needed to achieve goals Interdependencies between steps

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Group Task Analysis

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  1. Group Task Analysis Alfred Kobsa University of California, Irvine

  2. How do users complete their tasks?(work flow) • Users’ overall goals • How they currently approach the task • Information needed to achieve goals • Interdependencies between steps • Various outcomes and reports that need to be produced • Criteria used to determine quality and acceptability of these results • Communication needs of users as they exchange information with others • Exceptions/emergencies and how to deal with them • Users’ model of the task • Problems they encounter • What they like best / least • What changes they would like • Ideas for improvement

  3. Pros and cons of using groups(as opposed to individual interviews) • Pros: • Describing procedural knowledge is difficult, but group situation may help • People perform tasks differently and may have different views on what the process/policy is. Bringing them together helps build consensus • Courage & Baxter: six times faster than individual analysis • Cons: • People may feel intimidated • Consensus opinion may gravitate towards company norms, even though those do not reflect reality

  4. Downsides of Group Task Analysis(specifically in comparison with field studies) • Loss of context (☛ bring artifacts) • Missed steps • far less frequent than in individual analysis, but more than when observation takes place • Stated versus actual behavior • (Forgetting exceptions)

  5. Elements of work flows • Triggers • End points • Standard steps • Sequence of steps • Decision points • Exceptions • Steps that users dislike • Additional information • Actors

  6. Elements of Group Task Analysis • Tasks of interest • Actors: participants, moderator, videographer, observers • Activity material • Canvas, cardboard templates for steps (self-adhesive), tape, … • Users’ artifacts • Video camera and audio recorder

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