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Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center – San Diego (SSC San Diego) is the Navy’s chief research and development activity for C4ISR. Over the past decade, SSC San Diego has developed extensive expertise in the design of Decision Support System (DSS) interfaces for command centers.

Project Tasking. During FY 1999, SSC San Diego was selected by U.S. Strategic Command to apply its expertise in Naturalistic Decision-Making theories and DSS interface design to develop-ment of a DSS for the STRATCOM Command Center as an initial phase of the Strategic C2 Modernization Program. This effort is directed toward defining interface design requirements through an iterative methodology that integrates:

· Task analysis focused on difficult cognitive tasks of commanders during their decision processes, with

· Prototype design based on information visualization principles applied to the command decision situation, and

· User evaluation and feedback based on hands-on
experience in medium fidelity test scenarios.

Iterative refinement of a DSS interface design through hands-on evaluations and feedback from users will produce an interface specification that enhances efficiency, increases responsiveness, and improves the quality of decisions, while reducing errors and training requirements.

The initial STRATCOM work involved obtaining an overview of the organization and operation of the command center, and the general nature of its information flows, legacy tools and products, the implicit concept of operations, and strategic-level decision processes.

Cognitive Theory Applied to Decision Support Interface Design. The SSC San Diego approach to DSS interface design uses Naturalistic Decision-making (NDM) theories and know-ledge engineering techniques as part of a systems engineering methodology to develop decision support tools for various missions. Our approach draws on perceptual and cognitive principles to construct a tailored DSS interface to accommodate mission-related decision tasks and the cognitive requirements of the users. Our method recognizes that users must often perform their decision-making tasks in an environment characterized by high levels of stress, risk, and uncertainty; these environmental factors have predictable negative effects on decision processes. This approach recognizes that human cognition is constrained by limited resources for memory, perception, and attention, especially in crisis task environments. Our DSS interface design strategies consider these human limitations to better support decision processes through features that support attention management and aid short-term memory, while capitalizing on human strengths such as pattern recognition.

The STRATCOM Knowledge Wall. Figure 1 shows the Know-ledge Wall concept that will serve as a basis for further develop-ment and evaluation by STRATCOM users. This concept is tailored to the CINC in the U.S. STRATCOM Command Center during crisis operations. As a prototype DSS, the Knowledge Wall provides a vehicle for further detailed system design.

The prototype Knowledge Wall has summary displays from various functional areas within the command. These surround two large side-by-side “focus” screens, intended to support more detail and collaboration. The top row of summary displays pre-sent current status of each major function area, along with access to key staff, anchor desks, or analysis centers. It also includes windows to routinely monitored information sources such as commercial video, weather, and satellite feeds. The windows along the bottom of the display provide access to specialized analysis products that are generated as the crisis situation unfolds. The windows along the sides provide a control panel for video tele-conferences (VTCs) external to the command, along with resource status and task management tools.

A standard display format is used for each summary display win-dow. Within each summary display is a title bar and a control bar. The control bar contains switches for sound volume and activation of the internal VTC channel; a popup menu enables the user to choose among Primary, Secondary, or Video displays. The video option allows communication with an analyst or liaison officer associated with that summary display/anchor desk.

The summary displays comprise the CINC’s primary information and analysis sources. For example, the J2 Intel summary display provides two summary screens from the J2 Intelligence organiza-tion, along with a two-way communication channel available at any time. Either screen may be transferred to either the left or right large screen display (or both) for collaborative work or more detailed information.

Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA). The interface design method relies on CTAs directed at identifying difficult cognitive activi-ties that are involved in a decision-maker’s or commander’s work. The CTA process seeks to identify those tasks that are cognitively difficult s well as how military crisis conditions (involving high uncertainty, high stress, and high stakes) affect their being performed. Once identified, these difficult cognitive tasks provide the focus of design efforts for the DSS interface. Effective interface design based on DSS technologies have been shown to have substantial benefits in reduced errors, increased speed and efficiency, and improved situation awareness, particularly under high stress conditions. A well-designed interface also has important implications for team collaborative capabilities, manning requirements, and the range of expertise available to the command decision makers.

STRATCOM interface design requirements were identified with respect to three aspects of the DSS:

Top-Level Decision Requirements–include flexibility, time con-straints and responsiveness, cross-function information integra-tion, translation of information into knowledge, graphical preference, conferencing capability, efficient staffing/active participation by all present, drill-down, collaboration, and mobility.

Information Flow and Processing Requirements–include information visualization, display management, efficient display tools, and legacy or specialized products.

CONOP Requirements To Be Resolved During Evaluation–include who should control the information displays, principles for information summarization, extent of drill-down by top-level decision-makers, allocation of summary displays, and principles for push/pull of visuals by the Senior Battle Staff advisors and the Senior Controller.

Planned Follow-On Work. As shown in Figure 2, to complete the design process:

· More detailed CTAs must be conducted and their findings incorporated into the prototype design.

· The prototype Knowledge Wall must be evaluated in the STRATCOM testbed with actual users.

· Alternative CONOPs for the employment and management of the new DSS tools and collaborative capabilities must be developed and tested by the users.

· The prototype must be refined based on empirical evaluation and user feedback.

Figure 2.User Evaluation and DSS Refinement Process

Contact:

Bela Feher, Ph.D (619) 553-9226 Guy Leonard (619) 553-2912 Jeff Morrison (619) 553-9072
D44210 feher@spawar.navy.mil D4123 gleonard@spawar.navy.mil D44210 jmorriso@spawar.navy.mil

SSC SAN DIEGO SD 327

San Diego, CA 92152-5001 September 2000

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