ABSTRACT
The task is the basic component of human work. Changing any equipment characteristics inuences the method of task performance. Therefore, we can evaluate the usability of equipment based on task analysis procedures. The same equipment can be used by utilizing different methods of task performance. Some of these methods are more efcient than others. Hence, efciency of performance also can be evaluated based on task analysis. Task analysis makes an important contribution to the development of training (Patrick, 1992). By analyzing the tasks that are being performed by workers, we can estimate the safety of the equipment. In this chapter, we will consider the task concept in psychology and ergonomics. Ordinarily, the work is broken down into specic tasks or production operations. All tasks and production operations should be specied and, where possible, standardized. At present, even standardized methods of work are frequently very exible and complex. From systemic-structural activity theory (SSAT), exibility of task performance means that the method of task performance is not rigid and should be designed based on existing constraints. Moreover, any design process should be performed based on existing constrains. This aspect of design will be discussed in Section 6.1. Using various types of equipment, man transforms the object of work, making in it premeditated changes and transforming it to a nished product. At the stage of mechanization when manual components are quite substantial, such terms as production operation or task can be used. Professionals with technical backgrounds prefer the term production operation. In ergonomics, the terms production operations or tasks can be used synonymously. At the stage of automation or the semiautomatic type of work when a person performs the transformation of information, the state of remotely controlling objects or processes, and so on, the term task is used.
