A GRAPHICAL TASK-ANALYSIS LANGUAGE (GTAL)

In this paper, we propose and demonstrate an automated graphical forma lism for describing and analyzing user interfaces. This formalism reli eves interface designers from the burden of learning how to perform de tailed task analysis and how to apply intricate analytic models. The p roposed language serves as an interface between interface designers an d the complex syntax of models useful for predicting usability aspects such as ease of use and ease of learning. It is the major component o f an automated tool for describing and evaluating user interfaces. We describe the functions of the different components of this tool and we explain the role that it can play in an iterative interface design me thodology.