Reviews of the application of task analysis

The importance of undertaking some form of task analysis is now widely accepted as an integral part of the design process for complex, multi-person systems, especially where there are safety implications. Therefore, two reviews of different UK industrial sectors were undertaken to assess how task analysis was being applied in the field. Preliminary findings from these reviews were reported by Ainsworth and Marshall (1998) and both reviews have now been completed. This paper focuses upon the general lessons that can be learned about common strengths and weaknesses in the way that task analysis has been applied in typical situations