The result is a set of sub-tasks which do not benefit from being broken down further. Task analysis is often used together with other methods, but can yield results which are valuable on their own. These methods involve one or several experts giving an evaluation of the usability of the product. The methods prescribe how the experts should obtain their evaluations and how to take them further. The results of these evaluations are usually a set of identified problems which one can assume the users of the products will come up against.
Some methods also give an estimation of the benefit of bringing in additional experts.
The common denominator for these methods is that they say something about the usability of the product, although no actual trials are done with actual or potential users. Analytical methods are often based on known conditions concerning the user groups' sensory, motor or cognitive capabilities. There are, for instance, algorithms which measure how good a certain screen layout is. Often, a previous task analysis will form the basis for the further analysis. Some methods are trying to identify steps in the dialogue where the user may have problems in understanding what to do.