Explorer

• Introduction
• The Acquisition Lifecycle
  • HFI and the Acquisition Lifecycle
  • Concept Stage
    • HFI Baseline Strategy
    • Target Audience Description
    • Early Human Factors Analysis
    • Domains
    • Concept of Operations
    • Issues Log
    • Analysing Characteristics
    • Comparability Analysis
    • Workstation Design
    • Workload Analysis
  • Assessment Stage
    • HFI Plan
    • Allocation of Function
    • Task Analysis
    • Constraints and Assumptions
    • HFI Working Group
    • Style Guide
    • People Related Requirements
    • Safety Case
    • Health Hazard Assessment
    • Job Design
    • User Modelling
  • Demonstration Stage
    • Solution Providers
    • Through Life Management Plan
    • Manpower Plans and Policy
    • Combined Operational Effectiveness and Investment Appraisal
    • Human Machine Interface Philosophy
    • System Requirements Document
    • Human Reliability Assessment
    • Demonstration and Assessment Report
    • Integrated Test Evaluation and Acceptance Plan
    • Operability Trials
  • Manufacture, In-service and Disposal Stage
    • Lessons Learnt
    • Update People Related Requirements
    • Disposal
• Commercial Considerations
  • HFI COTS Considerations
• Human Factors Assurance
• HFI – Training and Competences
  • Training
  • Competences

Content

Task Analysis

What is a Task Analysis ?

Task Analysis is a method for identifying key components of a task. The objective is to identify and define the tasks to be involved in a system.

Task Analysis can occur at different levels of detail depending on the project stage. Task analysis is critical to the completion of subsequent activities which require information about the tasks involved in the operation and maintenance of the system, for example:

• Allocation of Function
• System requirement
• Hazard Assessment
• Human Reliability Analysis.

What will Task Analysis produce?

Task Analysis will produce a document outlining the scenario, function and task identification.

The task analysis identifies:

• The operational mission scenarios
• The operator functions within these scenarios
• The operator tasks within these functions
• The maintainer’s functions
• The maintainer’s tasks within these functions.

How is Task Analysis produced?

Task Analysis should initially develop from the activities conducted as part of the Early Human Factors Analysis (EHFA). It may be necessary to view the development of task analysis as incorporating a preliminary and detailed phase. This will reflect the progress of the acquisition project and development of a more refined design.

Methods include a hierarchical task analysis or a tabular task analysis. Other analysis may be conducted for specialist requirements, for example, a link analysis for control room or panel layouts. This information should feed directly into the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and mission analysis.

When should a Task Analysis be produced?

Task Analysis should be produced after the allocation of function tasks have been complete.

What impacts Task Analysis?

• Concept of Operation (CONOPS)
• Early Human Factors Analysis (EHFA).

Further Information can be found in the HFI Process booklet [PDF], People in Systems handbook [PDF], Def Stan 00-250 and the Human Factors Intranet site.

Change History

Change History

1 March 2010

Further Information amended to include a link to People in Systems handbook.

1 December 2009

Further Information added.

1 May 2009

Updated to include links to other HFI content.