Web-Based Tracking & Reporting Tool
Enable operators to track satellite data & compile timely reports
Summary
As part of the SpaceCAMP software factory, I worked in a team with the US Space Force's Delta 3 to replace their satcom signal tracking and reporting program. This required learning a great deal about the operators' operating procedures as well as the technical details of satellite communications and then detailing thorough work flows and information architecture. The development effort was a combination of a report-building tool and a substantial database of satellite data. As a military product, military standards needed to be incorporated.
Goal
Replace a legacy satcom signal tracking and reporting program with a web-based solution to improve workflow and coordination.
Process
We began by performing a competitive analysis of the legacy system which was sent to us, initially to audit it for the types of data inputs and outputs the program supported. It was important to keep in mind the fact that this program had been built up ad-hoc by opertors who were not design professionals, so not all evident design decisions would be worth replicating. We then organized a in-person visit to the Delta 3's base to interview operators and observe their interactions with their system. We set up a regular schedule to continue these visits for future testing as well. We proceeded to develop our initial designs, beginning with the primary focus of enabling the creation of the reports for which the operators were responsible. Our progress continued from that point, regularly informed by our bi-weekly testing and interview schedule, and expanded to other needed capabilities such as user account management and a satellite database.
Contribution
I was the team UX designer for this project, and produced the designs for the dev team. I was the primary point of contact for our testers and SMEs in the Space Force, and managed the scheduling and execution of our testing and interviews for the duration of the project. With the assistance of our Dev anchor, I adapted visual design artifacts into actionable development tickets with workable examples, language, and criteria. I maintained a universal design language across the application and assured adherence to accessibility principles and MIL-STD-1472.