Task switching in detail: Task identification, switching strategies and influencing factors

In this paper the first stages of a project that aims at supporting document management of information workers in complex multitask environments are presented. A rich sample of qualitative data was obtained from an observational study. At the first stage of data analysis we identified task switching on the level that it was perceived by the subjects. The factors that surrounded the task switching process have been the focus of the second stage. Various aspects of task switching such as environment, reasons, switching strategies and subjects' activities were categorized. We then compared how the use of various task switching strategies differed depending on these factors. Although the data analysis has not yet been complete, it was clear that subjects applied different strategies depending on whether they switched tasks on their own will or were forced to do it. Moreover, the use of strategies differed in physical and digital domains. The outline of an expected outcome and the research plans are discussed.