Environmental information for military planning

A study was conducted to consider the implications of presenting Environmental Information (EI; information on current environmental features including weather, topography and visibility maps) for military planning to the growing audience of non-technical users; to provide guidance for ensuring usability and for development of a suitable EI interface, and to produce an EI concept interface mock-up to demonstrate initial design ideas. Knowledge was elicited from current EI users and providers regarding anticipated use of EI by non-specialists. This was combined with human factors and cognition expertise to produce guidance for data usability and development of an EI interface. A simple mock-up of an EI concept interface was developed. Recommendations for further development were made including application of the guidance derived, identification of a user test-bed and development of business processes.

► Considers the presentation of environmental information to non-specialist users.
► Interviews and cognitive walkthroughs were used to understand the different uses of EI.
► The nature, complexity and quantity of the information should be considered.
► The mental model and knowledge of the user will govern information presentation.