Task Analysis (TA): A Concept from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to Simplify Marketing

Picture this: It’s Monday morning, your to-do list is as long as the Great Wall, and you’re already in overdrive. Deadlines are looming, content needs creating, campaigns need strategizing, and it’s chaos! Say hello to the Task Analysis (TA), a productivity hack borrowed from the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The TA is typically used to teach complex skills to children. It does so by breaking down the skill to manageable steps,  helping children learn to wash their hands or tie their shoes.  

However, the process isn’t restricted to specific skills; it can be used for any complex skill, making this an ideal technique to help marketers (yes, you!). Applying it can help you tackle the most overwhelming tasks with ease. Think of it as breaking that giant, intimidating project into manageable Lego pieces you can build one at a time. It’s a clever strategy to streamline your work life and create content like a boss.

How Marketers Can Use a Task Analysis to Streamline Daily Tasks

At its core, Task Analysis is about simplification. It’s the process of breaking down a big task into smaller, actionable steps. Marketing often involves various needs, such as the completion of final products, typically in the form of digital content. From juggling analytics to brainstorming creative ideas, there’s always so much going on. The solution? Break everything into smaller, more manageable to-dos. Ten small steps can seem less daunting than one ENORMOUS project.

Start by Mapping Out Your Day

What does your daily workload actually look like? Write down every single thing you need to do, whether big or small. No need to organize yet, just brain-dump it all onto paper (or a digital planner if that’s your vibe).

Break It Down

Break down those ambiguous, daunting tasks into smaller steps. For example:

• “Create a report” now becomes:

1. Collect data

2. Analyze key metrics

3. Build a visual for the data

4. Write narrative insights

See how much easier that feels…?

Applying Task Analysis to Content Creation

Now let’s talk about the holy grail of marketing: content creation. We all know the feeling of staring at a blank doc (or Canva screen) and wondering where to start. The TA can turn this blank-slate panic into a step-by-step formula!

Here’s How to Break it Down:

1. Define Purpose/Message: What’s the purpose of this content? What message should it deliver?

2. Do Research: Gather data, find supporting sources, and scope out what’s trending in your niche.

3. Create an Outline: Draft a structure. Use headlines, key points, and visuals, so you’re not winging it.

4. Start Draft: Just start writing! Forget perfection; that comes later.

5. Refine Content: Edit, fix the flow, and align it with your brand voice.

6. Publication: Post it and analyze its performance.

Publishing a post seemed like a daunting task, but now there are six clear, actionable steps. You can complete one step every 30 minutes and be done in 3 hours.

Why It’s Worth the Effort: The Bigger Picture

Using a TA as a marketer isn’t just about doing things faster; it’s about doing them better. By breaking tasks into manageable steps, you’re giving yourself a guide to stay organized, maintain productivity, and therefore, increase your chances of delivering exceptional results.

Think about it: Wouldn’t you rather tackle a step-by-step plan than stare at a massive, vaguely defined “TO-DO” and panic? The TA provides structure to your marketing creativity, helping you meet deadlines and leaving you more time to innovate, connect, and grow your brand.

So, the next time you feel buried by your marketing workload, stop. Take a deep breath, grab a pen (or open that Google Doc), and break it down. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter a task can feel.

Written By: Troy Burg, Behavior Analyst and Certified UX Researcher