WEEK 9

Question 1

What is the main purpose of Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) in HCI?
a) To make interfaces more visually appealing
b) To break down complex tasks into simpler, manageable components
c) To replace traditional usability testing
d) To increase software development costs

Answer 1

b) To break down complex tasks into simpler, manageable components

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the term “goal” in HTA?
a) A specific user action like clicking a button
b) The ultimate objective the user wants to achieve
c) A step-by-step process for completing a task
d) A low-level command in a system

Answer 2

b) The ultimate objective the user wants to achieve

Question 3

Which visualization technique is commonly used in HTA to represent task hierarchies?
a) Gantt Charts
b) Tree Diagrams
c) Pie Charts
d) Scatter Plots

Answer 3

b) Tree Diagrams

Question 4

In HTA, what principle ensures that some tasks must happen before others?
a) Sequential Execution
b) Parallel Processing
c) Precedence
d) Cyclic Redundancy

Answer 4

c) Precedence

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a type of plan used in HTA?
a) Sequential
b) Optional
c) Cyclic
d) Non-Linear

Answer 5

d) Non-Linear

Question 6

Define Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) and explain its importance in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).

Answer 6

HTA is a systematic method used to break down complex user tasks into smaller, manageable subtasks. In HCI, it helps designers understand user workflows, improve system usability, and create intuitive interfaces by ensuring that tasks are structured logically and efficiently.

Question 7

Explain the difference between a goal and a subtask in HTA with an example.

Answer 7

A goal is the ultimate objective the user wants to achieve, while a subtask is a logical component of that goal. Example:

Goal: Purchase a product online
Subtasks: Browse products → Add to cart → Check out → Confirm payment

Question 8

What role do tree diagrams play in HTA, and why are they useful?

Answer 8

Answer:
Tree diagrams visually represent the hierarchical structure of tasks, making it easier to understand task relationships, dependencies, and sequences. They enhance clarity and usability in system design.

Question 9

Describe how validation is performed in HTA and its significance.
Answer:

Answer 9

Validation involves testing the task hierarchy against real-world user behavior. It includes observing users, checking for errors or skipped steps, and refining the hierarchy based on feedback. This ensures that the workflow aligns with user expectations.

Question 10

Give an example of how “plans” add flexibility to HTA and describe the three common types of plans.

Answer 10

Example: In an online shopping process, applying a coupon code is optional. This allows for flexibility.

Sequential Plan: Steps must be completed in a fixed order (e.g., enter username → enter password → login).
Optional Plan: Some steps can be skipped (e.g., “Apply coupon code”).
Cyclic Plan: Steps are repeated until a condition is met (e.g., “Browse products until a choice is made”).

Question 11

Discuss how HTA improves user experience in software design. Provide an example of how an e-commerce website can benefit from HTA.

Answer 11

HTA improves user experience by structuring workflows logically, reducing complexity, and enhancing usability. In an e-commerce website, HTA helps streamline the purchasing process by breaking it into intuitive steps:
Goal: Purchase a product
Subtasks: Search for an item → View product details → Add to cart → Checkout → Confirm payment
This approach ensures a smooth user experience, prevents confusion, and enhances user satisfaction.