The designers who observe can later explore the issues identified through a facilitated discussion. Several trials can be run to focus on different features or different versions of the product. A detailed task analysis can be conducted to understand a system and the information flow within it. These information flows are important to the maintenance of the system. Failure to allocate sufficient resources to this activity increases the potential for costly problems arising in later phases of development.
Task analysis makes it possible to design and allocate tasks appropriately within the new system.
Once the tasks are defined, the functionality required to support the tasks can be accurately specified. A successful system depends on the effective allocation of tasks between the system and the users. Task allocation decisions determine the extent to which a given task is to be automated or assigned to a human user. The decisions are based on many factors, such as relative capabilities and limitations of human versus technology in terms of reliability, speed, accuracy, strength, flexibility of response, cost and the importance of successful or timely accomplishment of tasks. The approach is most useful for systems that affect whole work processes rather than single user, single task products.