Task analysis for error identification: a methodology for designing error-tolerant consumer products

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to the assessment of ‘intelligent’ consumer products. We assume that a primary reason for the difficulties people encounter in their use of intelligent consumer products is the lack of clear, consistent, and logical task sequences. The approach we have developed aims to illustrate the task sequences required for the purposeful use of ‘intelligent’ products, in order to indicate points at which errors, problems or confusions may occur. The approach combines two well proven methodologies (hierarchical task analysis and state space diagrams) to provide a description of human product interaction.

Keywords:

• Product assessment and design
• Hierarchical task analysis
• State space diagrams