Data Integration for Validation of Effectiveness of Systems -(DIVES)

The U.S. Navy is taking advantage of the revolution in information technology to support rapid evolution of its command and control systems. Along with the ability to rapidly reconfigure displays and controls, however, comes the need to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of new human-machine interface designs. For submarine combat systems, the introduction of new Combat Control displays has the potential to change the most effective processes for the combat team. Data collection for evaluating the performance effectiveness for new technology should also provide insight into the optimal crew size, processes, and team design that are enabled by that technology. DIVES, the envisioned product of this SBIR, is a unique tool that will integrate data from various sources on operator use of operational display technologies, both for individual and teams. The tool will assist technology evaluators understand data collected on user-system interactions. DIVES will provide recommendations for improvements to the processes, protocols, and procedures for collecting data and a framework for putting the data together into a coherent and understandable set of specifications for the redesign of the display technologies as well as the team processes involved in using the technologies for real-time decision making.