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MOS
Educational
01. Overview
The battlefield is an inherently complex environment where effective operation and control are critical determinants of success. In today's context, this reality is more evident than ever. A lack of control not only jeopardizes mission outcomes but often results in casualties.
The Israeli 2014 State Comptroller's Report on Operation Protective Edge underscored this issue, stating:
"The complexity of the systems and their operation by untrained personnel led to identification failures."
The report further emphasized that "Command and control systems must be intuitive and accurate to prevent operational errors that could result in casualties."
These challenges were consistently echoed in the interviews conducted as part of this research.
Total friendly fire casualties in Israel's
wars (1948-2023)
500 / 200
Casualties
Dead
Research Process
The fact-finding process drew upon my experience as a company commander (reserve), having served during Operation Protective Edge and Operation Iron Swords, as well as in various operational activities over the years. Additionally, I conducted in-depth interviews with two battalion operations officers and two fellow company commanders who rely on the current system as a critical tool in their roles. Several of these users also participated in multiple user testing sessions throughout the project.
02. The problem
1
1.
A non-intuitive UI within a complex system with numerous variables
2.
The system deviates from established design conventions, making it difficult for inexperienced users to navigate and use effectively.
3.
A. A steep learning curve necessitating formal training to achieve proficiency.
B. A considerable challenge for reservists unfamiliar with the system, requiring quick adaptation.
2
3
03. Context
Command and Control Center
The variety of platforms in use
Infantry
The variety of platforms in use
Armored vehicle
It is challenging to track the effectiveness of various tools in terms of firing range and maneuverability on the battlefield.
The battlefield
Complex and often characterized by dense and confined areas.
04. Persona
General Description
Name: David Cohen
Age: 35
Role: Platoon Commander
Needs
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Capability to independently upload mission plans
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Quick self-orientation and understanding of the positions of other units in the area.
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Ability to rapidly and autonomously comprehend the overall situation.
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Capability to report events in real-time or send immediate distress signals.
Persona
The goal
Designing a DMMT interface integrated directly into the desktop environment.
05. The solution
The project focused on redesigning the existing military control system, emphasizing three primary objectives.
1. Clear and Up-to-Date UI
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Creating a modern, intuitive user interface that aligns with current design standards.
2. Simple and Intuitive Process for Uploading Combat Overlay
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Simplifying the process of uploading combat overlays (e.g., force locations, target markers, and movement routes) in a fast and intuitive manner.
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Features include:
1. Provides users with a clear roadmap, helping them understand where they are in the process of adding data in the combat overlay and what comes next.
2. Tooltips providing assistance to users.
3. Data Optimization: allowing users to provide and modify data directly in their assignment overlay, with the ability to copy and reuse information from the general combat overlays.
3. Efficient Alert Signaling
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Real-time Communication and Recording: The app allows the commander to burst into the communication network in real-time, while recording messages for later playback—providing clarity or access for reinforcements and nearby forces.
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Media Integration: Uploads real-time images of the event directly to the chat box, enhancing situational awareness for reinforcements.
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Automated Distress Signal: The system automatically issues a personal distress signal based on the user’s location if no action is taken after activating the emergency button. This ensures visibility to nearby forces, enabling a timely response.
* For Operational Security reasons, it is not possible to display screens from the current platform.
Indicating stages and current location within the process
Tooltips- showing force details and fairing range
06. Design process
The following will provide insight into the design process by showcasing the development of the alert button.
wireframe
Including: Internal relationships between elements, placing and sizing.
version 1
collapse state
Open state
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Keeps all the features in one place, creating order and organization.
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The control panel is space-efficient, minimizing obstruction of the map to the greatest extent possible.
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Positioning the action buttons alongside the map tools restricts their opening area when clicked and places the map tools in a less accessible location for use.
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The left side is more aligned with the reading direction but forces the use of the left hand (in the case of touch) – it slows down the response speed in critical actions – the emergency control should be on the right side.
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The close proximity of the emergency button to another button can lead to accidental presses, resulting in human errors.
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A physical button should be considered in place\in addition to a digital button.
version 2
collapse state
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It creates a clear separation between the map tools and the action buttons.
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It reduces human errors.
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it allows the display of two types of info for the combat overlay in one place: a. the assignments data and b. the critical data.
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it creates a visual connection between the alert button (right side) and the event information(left side).
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It allows more intuitive use with the right hand.
Open state
High fidelity wireframe
Incloding: sizing, colors, open and closed states and status Indicator feature.
version 1
Collapsed state
Open state
Users reaction
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It is difficult to distinguish between the various actions presented in the dialog-box that opens after pressing the alert button, as they are not clearly separated or visually delineated.
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The user cannot clearly determine when the alert signal is activated, as it is sent with the initial press of the button before additional information is transmitted.
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The red design communicates distress rather than alertness or awareness.
version 2
Collapsed state
Open state
Flashing signal
Users reaction
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The horizontal layout of the dialog box, with three options, feels disorganized and messy, negatively affecting usability.
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Hierarchy is misleading, as button importance varies by situation, which cannot be predicted. It's better for buttons to remain without a predefined order.
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The alert button and its dialog box are overly large, occupying too much space on the map.
Final version
Collapsed
Open
07. Final product
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