GOMS - CMN-GOMS Analysis, Modeling Structure

Introduction

In the field of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), GOMS (Goals, Operators, Methods, and Selection rules) is a cognitive modeling technique used to analyze and predict user behavior and performance. CMN-GOMS (Cognitive, Motor, and Perceptual - GOMS) is an extension of GOMS that incorporates cognitive, motor, and perceptual components into the analysis. This article provides an overview of CMN-GOMS Analysis and Modeling Structure, explaining their importance in HCI.

CMN-GOMS Analysis

CMN-GOMS Analysis is a systematic approach to analyzing user tasks and predicting user performance. It involves breaking down tasks into smaller components and determining the cognitive, motor, and perceptual processes required to complete each component. The key concepts and principles associated with CMN-GOMS Analysis are:

1. Cognitive, Motor, and Perceptual (CMP) components: These components represent the mental and physical processes involved in task execution.
2. Hierarchical task decomposition: Tasks are decomposed into subtasks, creating a hierarchical structure.
3. Operators and their execution times: Operators represent the cognitive, motor, and perceptual actions required to complete a task, and their execution times are estimated.
4. GOMS-KLM notation: GOMS-KLM notation is used to represent the sequence of operators and their execution times.

The CMN-GOMS Analysis process involves the following steps:

1. Task identification and decomposition: Identify the main task and break it down into subtasks.
2. Identifying CMP components and their relationships: Determine the cognitive, motor, and perceptual processes required for each subtask and their relationships.
3. Assigning operators and execution times: Assign appropriate operators to each CMP component and estimate their execution times.
4. Calculating task completion time: Calculate the total time required to complete the task by summing up the execution times of all operators.

CMN-GOMS Analysis has various real-world applications in HCI, such as evaluating the efficiency of a user interface design, predicting user performance and workload, and identifying potential usability issues.

Modeling Structure

Modeling Structure in GOMS refers to the hierarchical organization of tasks and subtasks, as well as the relationships between them. It helps in representing user goals and intentions in the model. The key concepts and principles associated with Modeling Structure are:

1. Hierarchical structure of tasks and subtasks: Tasks and subtasks are organized in a hierarchical manner, with higher-level tasks encompassing lower-level subtasks.
2. Relationships between tasks and subtasks: Relationships such as sequence, parallelism, and choice are defined between tasks and subtasks.
3. Representing user goals and intentions: User goals and intentions are incorporated into the model to capture the user's perspective.

The Modeling Structure process involves the following steps:

1. Identifying tasks and subtasks: Identify the main tasks and break them down into subtasks.
2. Organizing tasks and subtasks in a hierarchical structure: Arrange the tasks and subtasks in a hierarchical manner, with higher-level tasks at the top.
3. Defining relationships between tasks and subtasks: Define the relationships between tasks and subtasks, such as sequence, parallelism, and choice.
4. Incorporating user goals and intentions into the model: Include user goals and intentions to capture the user's perspective and motivations.

Modeling Structure has practical applications in HCI, such as designing user interfaces based on user goals and intentions, analyzing the structure of complex tasks to improve usability, and predicting user behavior and task performance based on the model.

Advantages and Disadvantages of GOMS - CMN-GOMS Analysis and Modeling Structure

GOMS - CMN-GOMS Analysis and Modeling Structure offer several advantages in HCI:

1. Provides a systematic approach to analyzing and modeling user tasks: GOMS - CMN-GOMS Analysis and Modeling Structure provide a structured framework for understanding and representing user tasks, making it easier to identify potential issues and improve usability.
2. Helps in predicting user performance and workload: By analyzing the cognitive, motor, and perceptual processes involved in task execution, GOMS - CMN-GOMS Analysis can predict user performance and workload, allowing designers to optimize task design.
3. Enables identification of usability issues early in the design process: By analyzing the structure and components of user tasks, GOMS - CMN-GOMS Analysis can identify potential usability issues before the design is implemented, saving time and resources.

However, there are also some disadvantages to consider:

1. Requires expertise and training to perform CMN-GOMS Analysis: CMN-GOMS Analysis requires knowledge and expertise in cognitive modeling techniques, making it necessary for practitioners to undergo training to effectively apply the method.
2. May not capture all aspects of user behavior and cognition: While GOMS - CMN-GOMS Analysis provides valuable insights into user behavior, it may not capture all aspects of user cognition and behavior, as it focuses primarily on cognitive, motor, and perceptual processes.
3. Can be time-consuming and resource-intensive: Performing CMN-GOMS Analysis and Modeling Structure can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, requiring significant effort and expertise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, GOMS - CMN-GOMS Analysis and Modeling Structure are valuable techniques in HCI for analyzing and modeling user tasks. CMN-GOMS Analysis provides a systematic approach to understanding user behavior and predicting performance, while Modeling Structure helps in representing the hierarchical organization of tasks and subtasks. These techniques offer practical applications in HCI, such as evaluating user interface designs, predicting user behavior, and improving usability. However, they also have limitations and require expertise to perform effectively.

Summary

GOMS - CMN-GOMS Analysis and Modeling Structure are valuable techniques in HCI for analyzing and modeling user tasks. CMN-GOMS Analysis provides a systematic approach to understanding user behavior and predicting performance, while Modeling Structure helps in representing the hierarchical organization of tasks and subtasks. These techniques offer practical applications in HCI, such as evaluating user interface designs, predicting user behavior, and improving usability. However, they also have limitations and require expertise to perform effectively.

Analogy

Imagine you are planning a road trip. GOMS - CMN-GOMS Analysis is like creating a detailed itinerary, breaking down the trip into tasks and subtasks, estimating the time required for each task, and predicting your overall performance. Modeling Structure is like organizing the itinerary in a hierarchical manner, with higher-level tasks encompassing lower-level subtasks, and defining relationships between tasks, such as sequence, parallelism, and choice. By using these techniques, you can plan your trip efficiently and ensure a smooth journey.