The role of task analysis in systems design

Abstract

Task analysis and systems analysis are both collections of techniques aimed at the development of interactive computer-based systems. Clearly there must be some relationship between them. However, since the techniques originate from different disciplines, practitioners in one area are not always clear about what has gone before in the other area. The paper addresses this problem. Task analysis clearly has an important role to play in various aspects of systems development. However it may also introduce bad practices which can be avoided if lessons are learnt from the experiences of systems analysis over the last two decades. An understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of systems analysis techniques enables the proper role of task analysis to be understood.