Task Analysis

Task analysis is a UX method used to break down and understand the steps users take to complete a specific task within a product. It maps out each action, decision, and step required, revealing potential pain points or bottlenecks that may hinder usability. For example, if a user’s goal is to buy a product online, task analysis would outline each step—browsing products, adding to a cart, entering payment information, and checking out.

Task analysis can be applied at any design stage to optimize user workflows, improve navigation, and align features with user expectations. There are different types of task analysis, including:

1. Hierarchical task analysis (HTA): breaks tasks into subtasks to understand the sequence of steps

2. Cognitive task analysis: focuses on the mental processes involved, like decision-making and problem-solving