You know the scale of a task is small if you can conceive of several more tasks, of the same kind, following the present one – these could be combined together into a task of the next highest scale.
A minute scale task:
“Okay, I grab the ruffian in a bear hug.”
Could be followed by several other minute tasks:
“I use my weight to try and throw him to the ground.”All the above minute tasks could be replaced by a single small scale task:
“I try to subdue the ruffian.”
Which could itself be followed by further small tasks:
“Then a bind him up.”
“And I’ll drag him next door to the constable’s house.”
The same is true for medium and larger tasks:
“I’ll take care of the ruffian; bring him in.”
...
“Then we’ll interrogate him.”
“We’ll go and talk to his neighbors.”
“After a few days, we’ll try him before a court.”
“We’ll eject him from the colony.”
“We’ll prosecute the ruffian and try to get him exiled.”
...
“We’ll shut down the prostitution house that we’ve been ignoring.”
“Then we’ll tighten up checks on newcomers.”
“We’ll crack down on crime inside the colony.”
Small and medium scale tasks are usually the most common used, but this depends on the preferences of your gaming group, and what style game you’re running: that is, what you want to focus on. Minute tasks are used occasionally when a great deal of interest exists in the minutiae of a particular event. Large scale tasks are conversely used when the players are interested in results, but not the details of an event. Tasks of great scale should be used very sparingly, but on the same kind of grounds. With them, you reach the point of potentially fulfilling a Goal with but a single roll.