Method for approximating user task representations by document-usage clustering

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for automatically creating a task representation associated with a user task. The system calculates usage footprints of a document based on other applications, documents, and people that have been accessed by the user within a predetermined time frame before and after the user accesses the document. After obtaining usage footprints of a number of documents, the system applies a clustering technique, such as spectral clustering, to create task representations, each including a collection (cluster) of documents and/or applications that are used for accomplishing a particular task. The system also filters the documents based on their average dwell times, and uses user feedback to merge or split different task clusters in order to provide accurate task representations.