Abstract
In the course of this research project the output of four Task Analysis (TA) methods were investigated, explored and evaluated to ascertain whether they could support the Requirements Analysis (RA) phase and so contribute directly to other activities in the development life cycle for Interactive MultiMedia (IMM) systems. The research discusses the general issues, roles, success and failure factors, strengths and problems of particular Task Analysis methods. The problems of an IMM systems development life cycle are linked to the weaknesses of the Requirements Analysis phase and in particular to the incomplete support of Task Analysis methods and techniques used within the Requirements Analysis phase. The outputs of the selected Task Analysis methods are evaluated according to four factors, which are represented as an Evaluation Framework (EF). The factors are: (1) Scope of the Analysis, (2) Representation Form and Support, (3) Requirements Mapping, and (4) Core Criteria factor. Each factor represents specific criteria and features that Task Analysis methods should cover in their processes and outputs. The findings show that Task Analysis methods have a number of weaknesses in the support of and the contributions they make. Therefore questions and recommendations are considered about how the methods can be improved in order to increase their capabilities to support the Requirements Analysis phase in order to obtain better requirements. The thesis concludes by suggesting further ways to conduct research into Task Analysis methods.