The literature review was completed as part of the course Advanced Human Factors to further investigate a human factors practitioner’s tool for assessment and improvement.

Usability researchers have many tools at their disposal for assessing needs, discovering inefficiencies, and creating solutions.  Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and Fredrick Taylor are known as pioneers of industry for utilizing task analysis and time-motion studies to improve their production output, remove unnecessary or dangerous movements within repeated motions, and create a better working condition for their employees. From this point, academics and practitioners alike have used hierarchal and cognitive task analysis methods to solve complex issues and improve human performance.

This literature review follows the development of task analysis over decades as customizations and improvements are made by various researchers. Hierarchal task analysis paved the way, focusing on goal and sub-goal directed tasks. Cognitive task analysis generated an additional layer by assessing knowledge, thought processes, and goal structures. A very large number of extensions from both forms continued to be formed, providing for unique and scope-specific research. The versatility of this tool allows for limitless applications by innovation driven researchers seeking to discover needs and create improvements.

As the literature review elaborated, task analysis could be applied for use in gaining deeper insights into tasks and processes. I applied these tools in developing a task analysis for environmental service employees (aka housekeeping) within hospitals. Often an undervalued position, these professionals are responsible for rapidly cleaning and disinfecting a patient room to allow for others in need to utilize them. Through hours of interviewing subject matter experts in this space, an expansive task analysis was generated. Seen here is an abbreviated version, grouping goals into sub-goals and assessing the time allowable for each goal. The insights provided by this task analysis was later utilized in cross-functional brainstorm sessions to generate new product concepts.