The process of task analysis

Summary

Task analysis is the key to developing the specifications for performance and instructions in instructional systems design. Task analysis, when considered from a process perspective, involves three steps, each of which can be approached with various analysis techniques. These steps and techniques can be summarized as follows.

Step 1. Break the task, content, etc., down into the constituent elements.

Analysis Techniques:

• •Task definition

• •Job/task inventory

• •Risk assessment

• •Hierarchical redescription

• •Task detailing

Step 2. Determine the relationship among these elements.

Analysis Techniques:

• •Behavioral analysis

• •Visionary analysis

• •Critical incident analysis

• •Problem analysis

• •Network matrix analysis

Step 3. Restructure in accordance with the underlying principle or optimal learning design.

Analysis Techniques:

• •Job aid development

• •Learning strategy analysis

• •Learning hierarchy sequencing

• •Training objective development

• •Master design chart development

Instruction and training are often derived using analysis techniques which follow this process in a haphazard manner. If task analysis is carefully organized and follows the proper steps, it can be used to solve many training problems—not because of some inherent magic, but because of the detailed, careful, integrated analysis involved.