Ella Webber and Lorelei Whitman’s article on task analysis explores how breaking down user tasks can improve UX design. By mapping out decision points and potential friction, this method provides a clearer understanding of what slows users down and where improvements can be made.
The article explains two main types of task analysis: hierarchical and cognitive. Hierarchical task analysis breaks tasks into structured steps, often visualized in a flowchart. Cognitive task analysis, on the other hand, focuses on users’ thought processes, decision-making, and challenges along the way. Ella and Lorelei also walk through when and how to apply task analysis in UX research, offering practical steps to define tasks, gather insights, and refine product design based on real user behavior.
