Cognitive task analysis (CTA) is a systematic process by which the cognitive elements of task performance are identified. This includes both domain knowledge and cognitive processing. Thus, CTA focuses on mental activities that cannot be observed and is in contrast to behavioral task analysis that breaks the task down into observable, procedural steps. CTA is most useful for highly complex tasks with few observable behaviors. Examples of cognitive processing elements include: to decide, judge, notice, assess, recognize, interpret, prioritize, and anticipate. Examples of domain knowledge elements include concepts, principles, and interrelationships; goals and goal structures; rules, strategies and plans; implicit knowledge; and mental models.
The results from CTA have various applications such as identifying content to be included within training programs for complex cognitive tasks, research on expert-novice differences in terms of domain knowledge and cognitive processing during task performance, modeling of expert performance to support expert system design, and the design of human-machine interfaces.

This definition is in context to Artificial Intelligence. See more contextual defintions for Cognitive Task Analysis.