Training Device Design

Challenge

The U.S. Army began an effort to revise how live force-on-force training is conducted. New devices were requested to help warfighter trainees during training for live force on force engagements. I was asked to help in designing the devices and a mobile software application.

Use Case Definition

I helped define the use case in more detail by conducting interviews with subject matter experts. From those interviews, I created user workflows to help illustrate the context for the product.

Workflow Diagrams

MIL-STD 1472 H Hardware Kit Evaluation

Working with a team researcher, I assisted in continuously evaluating the hardware designs for compliance to MIL-STD 1472 H - Department of Defense Design Criteria Standard Human Engineering.

Low Fidelity Concept Design

With workflows and context defined, I created low fidelity concept designs for the relevant software, reviewed the designs with stakeholders, and iterated those designs until receiving stakeholder approval.

High Fidelity Designs

After iterating and receiving approval on the low fidelity designs, high fidelity designs were created, iterated, and then handed off to developers to implement.

User Testing

I was able to conduct user testing of the mobile application designs along with the hardware kits prior to the final implementation. After benchmarking the user experience, recommendations were made to improve the design, and continuous testing was proposed to improve the experience over time.

Results

An initial 500 kits were ordered and delivered in early 2022 based on the success of the prototype, with an additional 2500 ordered and delivered in the fall of 2023.