Documentation Solutions for Complex Tools: Task-Based Design at the Cross Roads
http://www.stc.org/ConfProceed/2004/PDFs/0066.pdf

Swallow, Lisa and Matt Laney
STC Proceedings
2004

Abstract:

For most of the technical writing community, task-based documentation has become the panacea for presentation of end-product document (in any of its myriad forms including traditional linear manuals and online help). We believe, however, that applying this method to a complex tool, (for example, a software tool without a Graphical User Interface), challenges the task-based approach.