FEA - Step 3: Task Analysis

The results of a thorough Task Analysis are essential to effective training course development. A Task Analysis determines:

• What is to be trained? - Training content, tasks and sub-tasks are identified. Task duration, frequency, and priority are estimated. Tasks/subtasks are sequenced and interrelationships defined. Further analyses identify cueing events, actions, or information needed for task initiation, continuance, or termination. Performance accuracy and success probability are assigned for each task/subtask. Possible user and maintainer errors are identified for each task/subtask, and the likely outcome of these errors defined. This includes effects on the system, its components, and other functions and tasks. Next, critical tasks/subtasks are identified, that is, those tasks/subtasks considered critical to protecting personnel and system safety. These, in turn, are analyzed for error and failure results.

The Human Factors task analysis performed during system development or modification is an excellent source of this information. Ideally, the training developers and trainers should be part of the multi-disciplinary design team that takes part in the human-centered design process. This joint participation enables the training developer to obtain a thorough understanding of the human-to-system interface, display/control interfaces, and task procedures. The team, in turn, gains the trainer's knowledge of the task difficulty levels and potential suggestions for simplification. When the needs assessment, performance analysis, and task analysis have been completed the design phase can proceed.