User Experience
Time on Task
Plain English
How long a task takes.
Definition
Time on task measures how long it takes users to complete a specific task.
In practice
Used to assess glossaryEfficiencyEfficiency measures how quickly and easily users can complete tasks once they are familiar with a system.Open glossary term and identify glossaryFrictionFriction refers to anything that slows users down or makes it harder for them to complete a task. It can be caused by poor design, unnecessary steps, unclear messaging, or technical issues.Open glossary term.
The reality
Longer time is not always bad, glossaryContextThe surrounding conditions that shape behaviour and decisions.Open glossary term matters.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is time on task?
The time taken to complete a task.
Why is it important?
It shows glossaryEfficiencyEfficiency measures how quickly and easily users can complete tasks once they are familiar with a system.Open glossary term.
What affects it?
Complexity and glossaryUsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term.
Is shorter always better?
No, it depends on the task.
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