1、Task and Needs Analysis,Week 2,Technical Communication, DAHMEN,What is Task Analysis?,“task analysis break down a complex task into its componentsits knowledge that and knowledge how” A. Keller,What you want to learn from Task Analysis,Why someone would learn the skill Prerequisite skills, knowledge
2、, and attitudes Special materials or tools required Warnings of dangers, either overall and at specific junctures The critical steps (no more than 5 -7) and their sequence All other steps necessary to complete the task and their sequence, Keller, A. “Task Analysis”. Professional Writing 408. 17 Feb
3、2003. 9 September 2003. ,What to Learn continued,How critical any given substep is Conditions that must be satisfied before going on to the next step Reasons for doing steps at a particular point Signs of success for each step (for confirmations) Signs of failure for each step Steps that require gra
4、phics or other media besides text,How to do a Task Analysis,Remind yourself of the objective and the degree of mastery required Observe experts and take notes as they do the task. Take notes as you observe an expert achieve the objective. Slow down experts so that you can identify each step. Ask the
5、 experts to speak aloud and say what they are doing why they are doing it what warning they would issue how do they know if a step has succeeded how do they know if a step has failed List what you learned that you did not expect to,Needs Assessment Matrix, Center for Education Integrating Science, M
6、ath and Computing. Georgia Int. of Tech. July 30, 2003. Sept. 04, 2003. http:/mime1.marc.gatech.edu/MM_Tools/NAM.html,Approaches to Task Analysis with Product Documentation,Use the product itself/computer interface as an organizational guide Seek out most common tasks and go from most frequent to in
7、frequent Organize tasks by theme or topic or action Go from simplest to most difficult Seek out logical questions to be answered,Function Oriented vs. Task Oriented,This button increases the volumeVs.To adjust the volumeuse this button,Defining the Job or Task,Create or identify task statements Brea
8、k down larger tasks into sub tasks Identify sources of information about how these jobs are done Decide on appropriate techniques to help define job Interview, questionnaires, observation, etc., “Job Task Analysis”. Front-End Analysis for Human PERFORMANCE Technology DECISIONS . Manal El-Tigi. Syrac
9、use University. 1 August 1999. 8 September 2003. ,Describing the Job or Task,Describe as a sequence of steps Flowchart of input and/or decisions Flowchart indicating different directions task can take Visual orientation of tasks Describe job via end results,Teaching the Job or Task,Set standards Art
10、iculate criteria of successful mastery Provide job aids Define behaviors which lead to success Properly sequence learning objectives Articulate required base skills and knowledge,Linear Graph of Expertise,Sample with Tasks,Sample in Flowchart Form,Combination Linear Graph/Flowchart,Web Resources,Nee
11、ds Assessment Matrix: http:/mime1.marc.gatech.edu/MM_Tools/NAM.html Task Analysis Assessment: http:/ Task Analysis for Mining http:/www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/hfg/taskanalysis.html Task Analysis for Instructional Design http:/classweb.gmu.edu/ndabbagh/Resources/Resources2/taskanalysis2.htm,Group Exerc
12、ise,The situation: Your group has realized there is quite a lot of confusion about how to prepare for laid el kebir. For this project, you need to identify the audience you wish address for your communication product, decide what needs they will have, and present a thorough task/job analysis of the
13、situation. Then your group will need to decide on the most appropriate media for this communication product. You also need to define who you are working for (i.e. who will support this project and pay for it and why).,Step 1: Audience Analysis,Use an audience analysis worksheet (either from our book
14、 or from the web) to help identify and clarify your audience, perhaps you will have both a primary and secondary audience. You will also need to identify what methods you will use to find out more about your target audiences needs. Can you identify Subject Matter Experts or Master Performers?,Step 2
15、: Job & Task Analysis,After you have clarified your audience, use the resources we have seen to identify the needs this group will have and clarify what tasks they will need to do. What information will you need to obtain, and what assumptions will you need to make about their knowledge? What inform
16、ation will it include/not include? Where can you go to observe the needed tasks?,Step 3: Defining the TCP,You need to decide on the approach you will take, making decisions such as: Format of TCP (Technical Communication Product) Identify which of the three types it belongs to (end user, internal, o
17、ral) Cultural/societal factors Level of language Media Economic considerations Etc.,Step 4: Drafting a Proposal,You need to draft a proposal to submit covering each of these points and laying out a plan for how your team will go about achieving its goal. Add appendices as needed. (See P. 272-280 in CGTC),
