Lecture 3: CTT Example: "Online Article Submission System" - 6.3 | Module 6: Task Modeling and Analysis | Human Computer Interaction (HCI) Micro Specialization
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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Overview of CTT

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we're discussing ConcurTaskTrees, or CTT, a powerful way to analyze complex user tasks. What do you think CTT is?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it a method to break down tasks into smaller parts?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! CTT helps us organize complex tasks into hierarchical structures. Can anyone give me an example of when we might use CTT?

Student 2
Student 2

Maybe when designing something like a website where users submit forms?

Teacher
Teacher

Good example! Now, let’s look at our case study: submitting an article to an online journal.

Breaking Down the Submission Process

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Teacher
Teacher

We start with the goal: 'Submit Article to Journal'. Can someone tell me the first step?

Student 3
Student 3

Access the submission portal!

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! This decomposition has two paths: logging in as an existing user or registering a new account. Why do you think these options are important?

Student 4
Student 4

They provide flexibility for new users versus returning users.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Flexibility is key. Now onto the next stepβ€”what does preparing the article involve?

CTT Notation and Processes

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s look at how we represent these tasks using CTT notation. What do hierarchical trees represent in our tasks?

Student 1
Student 1

They show the relationship between tasks, right?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Now, who can explain what a 'User Task' versus an 'Application Task' is?

Student 2
Student 2

A User Task is performed by the user, while an Application Task is handled automatically by the system.

Teacher
Teacher

Great! Now let's practice how we define these tasks in our CTT model.

Practical Application of CTT

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Teacher
Teacher

Using our CTT model, what insights can we draw about user interactions during article submission?

Student 3
Student 3

We can identify which tasks are optional and which are mandatory!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This helps in designing user-friendly interfaces. What about identifying cognitive load?

Student 4
Student 4

We can streamline tasks that require a lot of mental effort!

Teacher
Teacher

Yes! And by minimizing cognitive load, we enhance overall user experience.

Final Review and Q&A

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Teacher
Teacher

To wrap up, what are the key components we discussed in the process of submitting an article?

Student 1
Student 1

We discussed accessing the portal, preparing files, entering details, reviewing, and confirming submission.

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent! And can someone summarize why CTT is beneficial for this task?

Student 2
Student 2

It helps us identify all steps, including optional and mandatory tasks, which makes it easier to design.

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect summary! Always remember how task modeling impacts interface design.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

The section presents a practical application of ConcurTaskTrees (CTT) to model the user task of submitting an article to an online journal system, focusing on task complexity, concurrency, and detailed interaction.

Standard

This section illustrates the ConcurTaskTrees (CTT) methodology with a detailed example of submitting an article to an online journal system. It outlines the various tasks involved, their decompositions, and interactions, showcasing the structured approach of CTT in analyzing user-centered processes.

Detailed

Detailed Summary

The section centers on the application of ConcurTaskTrees (CTT) in modeling a complex user task: submitting an article to an online journal system. It outlines how to break down the overarching goal of submitting an article into multiple components and interactions using CTT notation.

Overall Goal

The primary goal identified is to "Submit Article to Journal". This task is complex and involves various sub-goals, decomposed further into meaningful tasks.

Decomposition of Goal

The decomposition is structured as follows:
1. Access Submission Portal: This involves logging in as an existing user or registering a new account.
2. Prepare Article Files: Users create a new submission entry, upload the article and other necessary files, and may edit previously uploaded files.
3. Enter Submission Details: This includes entering metadata, and optionally adding co-authors and selecting reviewers.
4. Review and Confirm: Users review their submission details before finalizing the process.
5. Receive Submission Confirmation: Finally, the task closes with the user receiving a confirmation message.

CTT provides a precise method to visualize the relationships and sequences of tasks, enhancing understanding of user interactions and system behaviors necessary for effective interface design. The inclusion of concurrency, optionality, and task allocation showcases the flexibility needed in real-world applications, making CTT a robust tool for human-computer interaction design.

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Overall Goal of the Submission Process

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Overall Goal:
0. Submit Article to Journal (Abstract Task)

Detailed Explanation

The overall goal for the task model is to submit an article to a journal. This encapsulates all the processes and steps a user must undertake to complete the task. It's the highest-level objective that organizes all the subsequent actions and sub-goals in a hierarchical structure.

Examples & Analogies

Think of the overall goal as a big project at school, like writing a thesis. Your ultimate goal is to complete the thesis, just as in our example the goal is to submit an article.

Decomposition of the Overall Goal

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Decomposition of Goal 0:
● Plan 0: 1 >> 2 >> 3 >> 4 >> 5

Detailed Explanation

This plan shows how the overall goal (submitting an article) is broken down into smaller tasks. Each numbered task (1 through 5) represents a critical step within the larger process, with '>>' indicating the sequence in which these tasks must be completed. This systematic breakdown helps in understanding complex processes by focusing on one step at a time.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine assembling a new piece of furniture. The overall goal is to have the furniture ready. Each step, like 'assemble the legs' (task 1), 'attach the tabletop' (task 2), etc., represents a sequential part of that overall task.

Access Submission Portal

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  1. Access Submission Portal (Abstract Task)
    ● Plan 1: 1.1 [] 1.2

Detailed Explanation

This task focuses on accessing the submission portal. It offers two options: either log in as an existing user or register as a new user (the '[' symbol indicates a choice). This reflects flexibility since users may already have an account or need to create one first to proceed.

Examples & Analogies

Consider trying to enter a club. You can either show your membership card if you are a member (login) or fill out a form to join if you are a new visitor (registration).

Detailed Steps for Accessing the Portal

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● 1.1 Login as Existing User (Interaction Task)
β–  Plan 1.1: 1.1.1 >> 1.1.2 >> 1.1.3
β–  1.1.1 Enter Username (Interaction Task)
β–  1.1.2 Enter Password (Interaction Task)
β–  1.1.3 Click Login Button (Interaction Task)

Detailed Explanation

If the user chooses to log in, they go through a series of steps: first, they will enter their username, then their password, and finally, they will click the login button. This sequence clearly outlines how the user engages with the system to access the portal.

Examples & Analogies

This is similar to entering a password to unlock your phone. You input your ID, follow it with your password, and then press 'Enter' to gain access.

Registering a New Account

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● 1.2 Register New Account (Interaction Task)
β–  Plan 1.2: 1.2.1 >> 1.2.2 >> 1.2.3
β–  1.2.1 Fill Registration Form (Interaction Task)
β–  1.2.2 Submit Registration (Interaction Task)
β–  1.2.3 Verify Email (User Task - external to system, but part of user's overall goal)

Detailed Explanation

If the user opts to register a new account, they will fill out a registration form, submit it, and then verify their email. This shows a clear linear flow of necessary actions to successfully create an account.

Examples & Analogies

Think about signing up for a mailing list: you enter your details into a form, send it off, and then check your email to confirm you're on the list. This step is crucial to ensure that the user becomes active in the system.

Preparing Article Files

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  1. Prepare Article Files (Abstract Task)
    ● Plan 2: 2.1 >> 2.2* >> 2.3?
    β—‹ 2.1 Create New Submission Entry (Interaction Task)
    β–  Plan 2.1: 2.1.1 >> 2.1.2
    β–  2.1.1 Click "New Submission" (Interaction Task)
    β–  2.1.2 System Generates Submission ID (Application Task)

Detailed Explanation

This task involves preparing the article files needed for submission. First, the user creates a new submission entry, which involves clicking a button and the system generating a unique ID for that submission, facilitating tracking and management.

Examples & Analogies

It’s like applying for a loan: you fill out a form to create a new application, and then the bank gives you a reference number to track your loan status.

Uploading Article Files

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β—‹ 2.2 Upload File (Interaction Task - Iterative, for main article, figures, data, etc.)
β–  Plan 2.2: 2.2.1 >> 2.2.2 >> 2.2.3 >> 2.2.4
β–  2.2.1 Select File from Local System (Interaction Task)
β–  2.2.2 Initiate Upload (Interaction Task)
β–  2.2.3 Display Upload Progress (Application Task)
β–  2.2.4 Confirm Upload Success (Application Task)

Detailed Explanation

This step involves uploading the actual article and any associated files (like images). The plan outlines a sequence where the user selects a file, initiates the upload, and then the system provides feedback on progress and confirms if the upload was successful.

Examples & Analogies

Picture sending an email: you choose a file to attach, press 'send', and then see a progress bar showing the attachment is uploading. If everything goes well, you receive confirmation that the email was sent successfully.

Optional Step: Edit Uploaded Files

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β—‹ 2.3 Edit Uploaded Files? (Interaction Task - Optional, if user realizes a mistake)
β–  Plan 2.3: 2.3.1 >> 2.3.2
β–  2.3.1 Delete File (Interaction Task)
β–  2.3.2 Re-upload File (Interaction Task)

Detailed Explanation

This optional step allows the user to edit any uploaded files if they notice an error. If the user chooses to edit, they can delete the incorrect file and upload a corrected version.

Examples & Analogies

It’s like realizing you sent a wrong photo in a message, where you can delete that photo from your chat and then send the right one instead.

Entering Submission Details

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  1. Enter Submission Details (Abstract Task)
    ● Plan 3: (3.1 >> 3.2 >> 3.3) | | (3.4 | | | 3.5?)

Detailed Explanation

During this phase, users enter the necessary details about their submission. The plan indicates that entering the article title, abstract, and other information must occur sequentially, while adding co-authors and selecting reviewers can happen in parallel. This flexibility helps streamline user input and enhances the user interface.

Examples & Analogies

Think of setting up a new social media profileβ€”first, you fill in your name and bio (sequential steps), but you can also add friends or choose privacy settings while you’re updating your profile details at the same time.

Reviewing and Confirming Submission

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  1. Review and Confirm (Abstract Task)
    ● Plan 4: 4.1 >> 4.2 >> 4.3 |[> 4.4

Detailed Explanation

In this step, users review their submission summary and confirm it by accepting the terms and conditions. Once they click 'Submit', they cannot go back and editβ€”indicated by the disabling operator. This emphasizes the importance of making sure everything is correct before finalizing the submission.

Examples & Analogies

Before filing taxes, you review your forms and confirm you have completed everything correctly. Once you hit 'Submit', you can’t change any details, making sure you double-check beforehand.

Receiving Submission Confirmation

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  1. Receive Submission Confirmation (Abstract Task)
    ● Plan 5: 5.1 | | 5.2 | | 5.3?

Detailed Explanation

The final step involves receiving confirmation of the submission, which may include an on-screen message and an email confirmation. There’s also an optional step for printing a receipt. This ensures the user has tangible evidence of their submission.

Examples & Analogies

When you place an online order, you get an email confirmation and might see a 'Thank you for your order' message on the screenβ€”this reassures you that your order has gone through successfully.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Hierarchy in CTT: Represents relationships between tasks.

  • Concurrency in Tasks: Describes tasks that can occur simultaneously.

  • User vs. Application Tasks: Differentiates tasks based on user involvement.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • Submitting an article to a journal where tasks include logging in, uploading paper, and receiving confirmation.

  • An online shopping process that requires adding items to a cart and then checking out.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎡 Rhymes Time

  • To submit your work with ease, follow these steps like a breeze.

πŸ“– Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a scholar who visits a portal, logs in with their details, uploads their manuscript, and receives a confirmation – a journey through the CTT!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • A Simple Way to Remember: A – Access, P – Prepare, D – Details, R – Review, C – Confirm.

🎯 Super Acronyms

A PDRC

  • Access
  • Prepare
  • Details
  • Review
  • Confirm.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: ConcurTaskTrees (CTT)

    Definition:

    A formal task modeling notation that represents complex, concurrent user tasks systematically.

  • Term: User Task

    Definition:

    Tasks performed by the user, which require their direct interaction.

  • Term: Application Task

    Definition:

    Tasks executed automatically by the system without user intervention.

  • Term: Hierarchical Structure

    Definition:

    A way to organize tasks into parent-child relationships to clarify dependencies.