Early Validation of Task Analysis Data: Processes and Representations

Task analysis is a critical first step in understanding a new complex domain. Currently, task analysis is a mostly manual process with weak automation support. This paper introduces the first phase of the SAVVII prototype as a proof-of-concept for early validation of task analysis activities. Early validation is supported by the transference of semantics from data values to data structures. Rough estimations of discrepancies between tasks are used to focus the knowledge elicitor’s attention on questionable areas, thereby reducing much of the tediousness and time-intensive nature of validation. SAVVII was shown to work on the developmental domain of parables. It is currently undergoing experimentation in two real-world knowledge acquisition activities.