Task Layer Maps A multi-disciplinary approach to task analysis AIGA Design Summit Today’s date

Foreword

Agenda uWhat is a task analysis uWhat is the problem with task analysis uWhat are Task Layer Maps uConcrete example

Task analysis is… uIdentified set of tasks u Based on direct user-contact, preferably on-site u Display what and how an end-user interacts with a computer to complete a given task u Task analysis shows how the status quo, helps set quality standards u Reference point for envisioning a new way of working: new scenarios u Essential for checking completeness in concept design

Problem with task analysis uThe problem with task analysis is they are often not helpful communication tools u They are too specialized, not collaborative u Not intuitive: they live in their own world u Few beyond the cognitive architect understand them u No one else shares their value due to this lack of readability. u A few examples will illustrate…

Some examples: uPlease don’t scream, what you are about to see is true.

Task Layer Maps are uBased on collaborative principles u Represents tasks in an easy to read and follow system u Show parallel tasks instead of timed or rule based tasks u Over-simplified for overview u Customizable for more details per discipline (one size fits all)

Task Layer Map process: uSimple meeting of laws of mankind and the laws of nature (or at least parallel processing). u Step 1 Make spaghetti u Step 2: Straighten spaghetti u Step 3 Make Lasagna

Step 1: Make Spaghetti uList all tasks in a brainstorming session u From the user study connect all the tasks in the order they are completed u Draw lines of dependency or flow or any other basis for a serial connection from one task to another u Any system will do, but multiple scenarios works best

Step 1: Make Spaghetti

Step 2: Straighten spaghetti uLayer according to time uOr possibility of working in parallel

Step 2: Straighten spaghetti

Step 3: Make Lasagna uNormalize the drawing uRemove redundant connections

Step 3: Make Lasagna

What does this get you? uDesign/Development team get for the first time u Shared artefact, everyone can participate uinput for speghetti can be anything from natural language scnearios to anyother internal methodology as long as dependency or flows are included uOutput can be customized, but basis is shared u An overview of what they are trying to make u A product team lingua franca u A method of checking for completeness u Improved quality of product/service: everyone can see problems before they are developed.

Concrete example uThe steps needed to complete an experience design project

Prepping (Documentation Gathering) Identify Client Needs Product Research Background Product Research Competition Analysis Target Audience Segmentation High Level UX Architecture Framework Site AssessmentQuick scan User Site VisitsUser Interviews User Questionnaire (online) User Questionnaire (offline) Focus Groups BrandingContent AuditTask Analysis Mood BoardScenario’s Information Architecture Concept Review Concept Creation Product BrandingStory Boarding Concept Reiteration Visual Direction Site Map Construction/Creation Write Copy/Content Paper Prototype Cognitive WalkthroughUsability Testing Style Guide Verification High Level Requirements Requirements Definition UI Technical Assumptions Front-End Requirements Technical Reality Check Production Criteria & Template Criteria Software Selection Concept Implementation Production ImageryConstruction Implementation UX-Scope Launch Strategy Electronic Prototype Review Prototype Design Rationale User Questionnaire (online)

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