Tasks

• Task - "A usually assigned piece of work often to be finished within a certain time."

• Types of Tasks*

• Wide and deep structures
  Chess game, career choice, pursuing education

• Shallow structures
  Selecting from a menu, choosing a residence hall

• Narrow structures
  Following a recipe, paying tuition

• Examples of tasks

• Getting reimbursed for travel expenses

• Finding a residence hall

• Connecting to campus network to read your email

• Applying for financial aid

• Finding the location of a specific building and room

• Choosing among medical care options

• Finding out what hours the library is open

*The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman, Doubleday, 1988

© UW C&C 1997