GIFT

This research developed a Work Domain Analysis (WDA) to help in guiding the design of a user interface for the Augmented REality Sandtable (ARES). ARES combines the traditional military sandtable used in sandtable exercises with projected topography. It leverages commercial off the shelf software in an effort to provide affordable simulation technology. In order to create an interface that is usable, valid, representative of the environment, and free from unnecessary elements, there is a need to perform a top to bottom domain analysis that can be validated by experts. This assists in deciding interface grouping, visual mapping, and ease of learning in the operational environment. WDA takes the relationships that exist between interface components and translates those into tangible interface design specifications. WDA, a foundation for ecological interface design (EID), will be leveraged in future usability experiments as well as the incorporation of a tutor to ARES. The WDA uncovered common functionality and unexpected relationships between the interface components to better support the tasks of land navigation, and military tactics training to support mission needs. Detailed breakdown of these domains can help to serve as guidance for other projects looking for a structured basis for interface design.

Boyce, M. W., Sottilare, R. A., Goldberg, B., & Amburn, C. R. (2015). Work Domain Analysis for Ecological Interface Design of Tangible Interfaces. Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation & Education Conference (I/ITSEC), Orlando, FL.