An Evaluation of the Potential of Task Analysis in the Evolution of Interactive Work Systems

Abstract: Developed forms of task analysis allow designers to focus on both utility and usability issues in the development of interactive work systems. The models they generate represent aspects of the human, computer and domain elements of an interactive work system. Many interactive work systems are embedded in an organisational context. Pressure for changes are present in this context and provide impetus to stakeholders to change work tasks and the supporting tools. Interactive work systems also provide evolutionary pressures of their own, changing the very task they were designed to support. One approach to coping with change has been to evolve interactive work systems. Currently none of these techniques place focus on the performance of tasks as central, and consideration of usability is minimal. However, an evolutionary design approach forces an evolutionary experience upon users, and we cannot be sure whether this approach enhances the user’s experience or degrades their performance. Given the strength of task analysis it is likely that it will be applied within evolutionary contexts. Yet, little work has been undertaken to examine whether its role will, or could be different. We ask how we can move task analysis towards being used in a principled manner in the evolution of interactive work systems. This paper examines a number of features of the approach called task knowledge structures that may be useful in evolving interactive work systems. We look at tasks and their representativeness, roles, goals, objects (their attributes, relationships, typicality and centrality) and actions. We present a developing framework for examining other task analysis approaches for their utility in supporting interactive work systems evolution. Finally, we discuss future work within the area of applying task analysis in the evolution of interactive work systems.