Task analysis is generally defined as the process of breaking a task into its subordinate components. By doing this, you can determine exactly what the training objectives for the task ought to be.
Results of task analysis usually include conditions, standards, major elements, or steps of the task, and the underlying skill and knowledge components. These are used to derive the training objectives, test questions, and any hands-on task training that may be required. Other information such as references, tools and equipment, system components and safety issues are often collected as an additional part of the task analysis process.
On the other hand, task analysis is not always the best way figure out what the substance of training should be. More importantly, it is very easy to spend a great deal of time doing task analysis, only to find later that the information you collected is more time consuming to use than if you had done without. Task analysis can be a powerful technique to build a truly effective training program, or it can be a huge waste of time.
Choose from these topics for more:
What makes an effective task analysis?
The Task Analysis Process in a Nutshell
Identifying the Major Elements (Steps) of a Task
Identifying Skill and Knowledge Components
