PTA: Perceptual Control Theory Based Task Analysis

Task Analysis is a fundamental tool for analyzing human-machine systems, and has been applied in major aircraft projects supporting the Canadian Forces. The literature describes many task analysis methods under two major categories: behavioral and cognitive task analysis. This paper proposes a new task analysis based on Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) called PTA that encompasses all other analyses. PTA adopts an ego-centric approach, analyses goals and feedback, determines the cognitive compatibility, and specifies information requirements for interface and/or systems design. PTA was applied to a portion of a Coastal Patrol Aircraft task analysis. It was found that PTA provides a unified analysis, makes goals and feedback explicit, and provides a method for assessing cognitive compatibility.