Issues of quality and practicability in task analysis: preliminary results from two surveys

Surveys of task analysis studies in two different industrial sectors within the UK, defence and nuclear power, have shown that there can be wide variability between them, both in terms of level of reporting and the depth of analysis. Particularly prevalent shortcomings were that data sources and methods were often either not specified or were described in insufficient detail. Thus users of the information could be asked to accept potentially costly design recommendations with little indication of the strength of the evidence, or of the effects of taking no action. Some tentative conclusions are drawn about the use of specific task analysis techniques but, while these are useful pointers, more evidence is required. Therefore, further study of task analysis techniques is needed in order to provide analysts with better guidance regarding the selection and use of task analysis methods and the reporting of task analysis findings.