Tools for task-based interaction and collaboration analysis

An innovative framework of interaction and collaboration analysis is proposed, jointly with tools to support the process. The proposed framework is based on a collaboration analysis first and individual task analysis subsequently, approach. The objective of this framework is to facilitate understanding of the group’s and individual user’s tasks and goals and associate the artifacts used with usability problems. An innovative aspect of the framework is the association of tasks to artifacts (tools) engaged by the users during the activity. The typical use of this framework is in interactive systems evaluation and design. The framework and the tools functionality are described in the paper. The framework is inspired by the Activity Theory perspective, which recognizes the importance of artifacts, actors and the context in which an activity takes place.