Knowledge Required for Understanding Task-Oriented Instructions

When they encounter problems with a novel or infrequently performed task, experienced users often complete their work by referring to manuals and trying task-oriented exploration. However, the contents of the documentation can vary from step-by-step instructions for a single task to generic descriptions of a family of related procedures. This paper describes the LInked model of Comprehension-based Action planning and Instruction taking (LICAI) that simulates the processes involved in comprehending and using realistic taskoriented instructions. The simulations describe the necessary relationships among the content of the instructions, the goal, and the interface that enable users to accomplish their tasks.