IBM Task Modeler
An Eclipse-based tool for rapidly creating and analyzing models of human activity for DITA and user experience design.
Date Posted: February 9, 2006
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Update: June 26, 2007
Version 5 enables the creation and embedding of linked models and includes the Bird's Eye View navigation aid, the Method Exponent, and an updated user guide.
What is IBM Task Modeler?
IBM® Task Modeler is an Eclipse-based software tool for modeling human activity as a hierarchy of tasks and related elements. An information architect can use it to design DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) maps. A usability practitioner can produce either classic HTA (Hierarchical Task Analysis) diagrams or RAG (Roles and Goals) diagrams. A development manager can produce a use case model. The tool can be used in a workshop, during a field study, or at one's desk to rapidly create, explore, analyse, and share these models. Task Modeler is easy to learn, responsive in use, and adaptable to evolving practices. It creates attractive, expressive diagrams that inform and engage design stakeholders.
How does it work? Maps and models consist of nodes and properties. Nodes describe elements such as topics and concepts or roles and goals. For example, DITA maps define nodes such as topics, tasks, concepts, and references according to the DITA standard. By contrast, a RAG diagram models a problem space as a hierarchy of nodes such as contexts, organizations, stakeholder roles, user roles, goals, and tasks. The RAG diagram builds an integrated view of key UCD (User-Centred Design) data such as user profiles, context of use, motivation, and behavior.
Properties define details for each node. For example, DITA topic properties define elements such as audience and platform metadata, and RAG properties define aspects such as the demographics of a stakeholder role or the measurements associated with a goal. These properties can be strings, numbers, keywords, or references to files and Web URLs. Keywords can be either user-supplied or predefined as a controlled vocabulary.
In order to help rapidly build models, Task Modeler supports automated layout, intelligent import from rough notes, drag-and-drop restructuring, and powerful keyboard enabling. Transcription and data entry are fast and responsive. Task Modeler makes it simple to work with large models by allowing one to zoom in to different levels of detail, selectively hide and show levels or segments, and locate areas of interest in an outline view or a graphical Bird's Eye View.
Large models can also be split across multiple model files, which are connected by special link and anchor nodes. One can then recursively embed the contents of linked model files in the linking model's editor, allowing individual files to be edited in the context of an overall model.
Analysis of work is possible by dynamically visualizing property values as an overlay of colors, symbols, and networks. Visualization lets the design "talk back" to help in identification of patterns and hot spots. Data sharing is facilitated by the ability to export models to text, graphics, and spreadsheets. DITA designers can also manage topic files associated with map elements and visually edit relationship tables.
Task Modeler is extensible. Users can define additional properties and keywords to support their methods and interests. Users can also apply their own XSL transforms in order to export models to more specialized formats.
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| | About the technology author(s):
Task Modeler was designed and developed by the following people:
- Paul Englefield is a BCS (Business Consulting Services) usability consultant. He initiated the Task Modeler project and handled the requirements, high-level design, and user-experience design for Version 5.
- Mark Farmer is a software engineer at IBM. He managed this project and took responsibility for the internal design and development of Task Modeler.
- Nik Mottershead is an information designer in BCS. She contributed the overall visual style for Version 5 and the specific look and feel of the model diagrams, linked model embedding, and visualizations.
- Ian Wells is an industrial trainee (intern). He designed and led the test program for this version.
- Ida Audeh is a technical editor at IBM. She remodeled the structure and content of the Task Modeler User Guide and reviewed many of the new help topics.
The team acknowledges the excellent encouragement, support, and guidance from their DITA client (Dave Schell, John Hunt, Mike Iantosca, and Michael Priestley). They also thank the test participants at Hursley and early adopters world-wide who provided invaluable feedback on the evolving design.
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