Methodology I: Task Analysis - Foundations for Designing User-Centered Systems - page 323

11.10 Exercises
11.1 Create a table showing each type of task analysis. Note (a) the focus of the
approach (work, the task, what the user knows, etc.); (b) what they are typi-
cally used for, for example, what predictions they can provide; (c) an example
snippet of analysis; (d) how time intensive you believe they will be (easy to do,
hard to do); and (e) the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
11.2 Choose an existing interface and list the tasks it can or should be used for.
Perform a task analysis. From this task analysis make five suggestions how it
could be improved. Interfaces to consider include word processors, spread-
sheets, online libraries, and email clients.
11.3 Write a short report on tasks you or a study partner do at your desk, and the
quality of the desk and work area to support those tasks. Compare it with the
non-work related tasks that you do indulge in (e.g., play with a pencil, line up
your toy cars, doodle, drink coffee) at your desk. Make suggestions for
improving the workspace in question. Then, do the same thing for your
computer display.
11.4 List ten ways that the KLM or GOMS methods could be made more accurate.
You should be able to do this using this topic. For example, the section on
reading makes several suggestions for making these models more accurate
with respect to adjusting for users' reading speed and the material being read.
11.5 Consider a smartphone or tablet computer, either a specific one or a com-
posite one. Devise a trade-off function between a set of features (which you
specify) and weight. Describe how to choose a reasonable point on that
curve. Use a task analysis that provides estimates of task time to represent
this design trade-off.
11.6 Use a task analysis methodology to examine two related online systems, such
as bookstores. You should choose three to five important tasks, and explain
why these are important tasks for this analysis. How do their assumptions
differ as represented in the task analysis? For example, does one assume that
you log in before browsing, or does one assume that you read recommen-
dations before purchasing?
11.7 Use a task analysis methodology that you choose to calculate how long it
takes to perform the following tasks using a spreadsheet program, using a
calculator, and using your cell phone: (a) a tip on a $13.28 restaurant bill;
(b) your salary raise as a percentage from $8.50 to $8.85/h (c) your hourly
rate if you work 40 h per week and 48 weeks per year and make $45,000 per
year, and (d) your hourly rate from the previous problem, but starting from
scratch, if you had a 3% raise. Comment on at what point in time you should
switch between these three tools.
11.8 Use a task analysis methodology to calculate how long it takes to select and to
delete an automatic signature to your email, using your signature rather than
the one in Sect. 11.8 . Is it faster to insert the signature manually when you
need it, or to included it automatically and delete it when you do not need it?