What is Hierarchical Task Analysis

The use of novel technologies can be complicated for some people; even products designed for everyday use can present problems. If a product is difficult to use, it causes frustration and prevents usage. The objectives of this study are to conduct a usability test, assess the mental workload, and identify potential human errors during the process of listening to music using wireless earphones from a mobile phone device to detect which operations were the hardest in order to suggest modifications to the design and to bring a better experience to the user. During the usability test some difficulties among users were detected and a hierarchical task analysis (HTA) was developed. NASA-TLX and SHERPA methods were applied. The use of these earphones resulted in an intermediate mental workload, and four types of human errors were identified. The methods used in this study helped to detect those difficult tasks and subtasks for the users.