[IxDA Discuss] Hypotheses about tasks

[Michael Albers]

>Time is measurable, and so is complexity (the number of sub-operations
>required by each step). And although the original observation was
>about the frustration level of users as steps got more cumbersome
>while trying to complete a task, this statement doesn't need to
>reflect that. It only needs to state a fact that can be used to guide
>our decisions.

But simply counting the number of sub-operations will not quite do 
it.  It depends on how difficult those actions are perform 
themselves.  Many (probably most) are simply response actions which a 
normal users does without really thinking about them.  For example, 
open a particular program...click Start, find folder, etc.  But the 
person knows them and does them more or less on auto.

But some of those sub-operations require decision making.  It's the 
decision points, how many of them exist, and how many options at each 
one which determine the complexity of the task.

People can perform long stings of actions on auto with little 
problem.  Toss in a couple of decision points and things get hairy.

A few posts a ago, cognitive load was called too technical.  But I 
think that, in fact, cognitive load is what causes the problem and 
what's needs to be measured.  Decision points can overload a person; 
that is when they make errors and get confused.

Mike


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Dr. Michael J. Albers
Professional Writing Program
Department of English
University of Memphis
Memphis  TN  38152