Usability Testing and Workflow Analysis of the TRADOC Data Visualization Tool

Abstract

The volume of data available to military decision makers is vast. Leaders need tools to sort, analyze, and present information in an effective manner. Software complexity is also increasing, with user interfaces becoming more intricate and interactive. The Data Visualization Tool (DaViTo) is an effort by TRAC Monterey to produce a tool for use by personnel with little statistical background to process and display this data. To meet the program goals and make analytical capabilities more widely available, the user interface and data representation techniques need refinement. This usability test is a task-oriented study using eye-tracking, data representation techniques, and surveys to generate recommendations for software improvement. Twenty-four subjects participated in three sessions using DaViTo over a three-week period. The first two sessions consisted of training followed by basic reinforcement tasks, evaluation of graphical methods, and a brief survey. The final session was a task-oriented session followed by graphical representations evaluation and an extensive survey. Results from the three sessions were analyzed and 37 recommendations generated for the improvement of DaViTo. Improving software latency, providing more graphing options and tools, and inclusion of an effective training product are examples of important recommendations that would greatly improve usability.