Tasks is a step-by-step research method, which makes for an intuitive unmoderated participant experience, with seamless transitions between the tasks of the study, which is of great help when there's no moderator around to guide or handhold the participant. You can set a separate url as well as list task-specific instructions for each task.
Hallmarks for Tasks
You set the mood and intent for your unmoderated, step-by-step Tasks session by adding a Scenario. This helps get your participant into the desired mindset before they actually start doing the intended tasks.
Tasks itemizes your research so that participants complete each task in sequence. In other words, they will have to complete one task to be able to continue to the next one.
as mentioned, you can set different auto-open URLs (website, prototype, survey etc) for each task as well as specify task-specific instructions. The instructions field also allows you to list additional urls if needed.
All in all, Tasks is a research product that gives you a smooth participant experience and intuitive transitions from one task to the next, a feature that is especially handy for participants using mobile devices.
What type of research is Tasks intended for?
Tasks is good for traditional usage, unmoderated usability testing of websites, prototypes or native apps, when:
the participant doesn't have to see all instructions/links in advance, or if it's beneficial for the participant to follow instructions one-step-at-a-time for some other reason, and you want the participant to do one discrete question or task at a time
you have 5–8 questions/tasks that require sequenced focus
you need to include multiple URLs (websites, prototypes, surveys)
you have distinct questions that require a simple response
you encourage 'speak aloud' perspectives e.g. preference testing
How to set up a Tasks Round in the dashboard
Click New Round in your existing Project or start afresh with a New Project
Choose Tasks.
Round description – click the pencil icon ✏️ (top left) to name (or describe) your round. This is just to help you and your team identify the round – your participants will not see this description.
Click Save.
To find the participant link to send to the participant, click Back to project (top left), Invite to Unmoderated, copy.
❗️Please note that ...
... if the person creating the round does not add any auto-open URL in the Round's settings, the Participate in-app browser will not be available to the participant at all.
Considerations when setting up the Tasks round
The Welcome Message
➡︎ The pop-up message the participant will see first when tapping the participant link
➡︎ Allows you to explain the context of the session, add links to external consent forms, any explanations needed to help you participant through set-up & permissions.
The Scenario
➡︎ What the participant sees after completing set-up/permissions and the session has started. The scenario is actually the only part of the Rounds settings that's required.
➡︎ Sets the the stage for the participant before he/she starts testing.
➡︎ Can be used to add an auto-open URL and direct the participant to a website or prototype.
The Tasks
➡︎ Create as many tasks as you want the participant to carry out.
➡︎ The tasks will be presented one at a time – progression to the next task when the previous one is completed. The first task will be shown after the participant has read the Scenario and clicked Begin.
➡︎ Allows you to add different auto-open URLs so the participant will automatically immediately see the desired website/prototype/survey when a task begins.
The Final Message
➡︎ Shown to Participants the participant completed the final task of the session.
➡︎ Allows you to thank the participant for his/her time and/or add links to an external (post-session) survey.
🚀 ProTip! The possibility to format text for your Welcome message, Instructions and final message using Markdown is available for Tasks, same as when setting up LiveShare, SelfTest or Interview rounds.
