http://pathfindersoftware.com/2007/03/what_are_task_f/ The Fastest Way to Launch Successful Software Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:36:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://pathfindersoftware.com/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6348 Alice Toth Wed, 30 May 2007 23:45:53 +0000 http://www.pathf.com/blogs/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6348 <p>A task flow comes from the user activity, i.e., what steps (or tasks) are needed in order to accomplish an activity (e.g., checkout). This is done in order to determine the necessary screens. In other words, a task flow may have 5 steps, but if all 5 steps can be accommodated on one screen, then only one screen will be designed incorporating all the data elements needed to accomplish the task. The task flow starts the process.</p> A task flow comes from the user activity, i.e., what steps (or tasks) are needed in order to accomplish an activity (e.g., checkout). This is done in order to determine the necessary screens. In other words, a task flow may have 5 steps, but if all 5 steps can be accommodated on one screen, then only one screen will be designed incorporating all the data elements needed to accomplish the task. The task flow starts the process.

]]> http://pathfindersoftware.com/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6347 John McGowan Tue, 08 May 2007 20:37:44 +0000 http://www.pathf.com/blogs/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6347 <p>As a newbie to all this IA, it's easy to confuse task flows with traditional flowcharts and sitemaps (they all have so many "boxes & arrows"). Does anyone know if really advanced IA's do their site maps first, then- when a page needs a task flow, it links to the flowchart (i.e. flowchart for how a purchase works at this ecommerce site)??</p> As a newbie to all this IA, it’s easy to confuse task flows with traditional flowcharts and sitemaps (they all have so many “boxes & arrows”). Does anyone know if really advanced IA’s do their site maps first, then- when a page needs a task flow, it links to the flowchart (i.e. flowchart for how a purchase works at this ecommerce site)??

]]> http://pathfindersoftware.com/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6346 Alice Toth Fri, 30 Mar 2007 02:25:28 +0000 http://www.pathf.com/blogs/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6346 <p>The diagram was provided to show a series of linear steps and their relationship; the actual words within the boxes isn't the relevant part and, in fact, won't make sense to anyone who wasn't involved in the project since the text is, in essence, shorthand for knowledge known by the team. The example posted is merely to show how a flow can look and that there may be multiple entry points which eventually integrate within the flow.</p> The diagram was provided to show a series of linear steps and their relationship; the actual words within the boxes isn’t the relevant part and, in fact, won’t make sense to anyone who wasn’t involved in the project since the text is, in essence, shorthand for knowledge known by the team. The example posted is merely to show how a flow can look and that there may be multiple entry points which eventually integrate within the flow.

]]> http://pathfindersoftware.com/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6345 PM Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:56:57 +0000 http://www.pathf.com/blogs/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6345 <p>The example of the task flow image in unreadable, so it does not served its purpose. I downloaded the file, increased its size and could not read it. Can you upload a legible version of the example, thanks.</p> The example of the task flow image in unreadable, so it does not served its purpose. I downloaded the file, increased its size and could not read it. Can you upload a legible version of the example, thanks.

]]> http://pathfindersoftware.com/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6344 Alice Toth Wed, 07 Mar 2007 21:53:11 +0000 http://www.pathf.com/blogs/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6344 <p>If I'm working on a PC, I use Visio to create task flows. If I'm on a Mac, I use OmniGraffle. Illustrator is also a good program. For me, most vector-based programs work well in creating task flows. I updated the post to show an example of a task flow. Hope this helps!</p> If I’m working on a PC, I use Visio to create task flows. If I’m on a Mac, I use OmniGraffle. Illustrator is also a good program. For me, most vector-based programs work well in creating task flows. I updated the post to show an example of a task flow. Hope this helps!

]]> http://pathfindersoftware.com/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6343 Michael Wed, 07 Mar 2007 20:01:36 +0000 http://www.pathf.com/blogs/2007/03/what_are_task_f/#comment-6343 <p>Do you have any examples of how you like create your task flows? What software do you prefer?</p> Do you have any examples of how you like create your task flows? What software do you prefer?

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