calling voyager: interface design for nasa’s deep space network
TRANSCRIPT
Calling VoyagerUser Experience Design for NASA’s Deep Space Network
© 2017 California Institute of Technology. Government sponsorship acknowledged. @shodoshan
Once I thought I knew a lot. Then I was sure I knew a little. Now, I know that I know nothing.
-Private Dowding
Setting the Scene
What is the DSN?
WHO is the DSN?
Change is inevitable
Designing for change: What didn’t work
Designing for change: What worked
What we’re planning
Setting the Scene
What is the DSN?
WHO is the DSN?
Change is inevitable
Designing for change: What didn’t work
Designing for change: What worked
What we’re planning
An Intriguing Design Challenge
Old and new technologies combined
60 years of history
Designs need to last 20 years
40 years of human habit
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno/images/index.html https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/apollo11.html https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/images/index.html
Getting On With It
What is the DSN?
WHO is the DSN?
Change is inevitable
Designing for change: What didn’t work
Designing for change: What worked
What we’re planning
Operator Persona
Mostly male
Mostly older
Highly technical – but not IT people
Highly educated – 40 years ago
Situation Awareness
The Good Old Days
Three Cultures
*Dramatic Music*
What is the DSN?
WHO is the DSN?
Change is inevitable
Designing for change: What didn’t work
Designing for change: What worked
What we’re planning
Photo credit: http://www.michaelmedved.com/column/dems-gloom-may-seal-their-doom/ Photo credit: https://hoopsonvs.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-end-is-nigh.html
Photo credit: https://www.videoblocks.com/video/earth-from-space-showing-sunrise-over-the-americas-elements-of-this-render-furnished-by-nasa-wjva9qd
Three Links Per Operator
+ +=HARD
Three Links Per Operator
+ +=MUCH HARDER
Three Links Per Operator
+ += the wild, wild west
Charge Boldly Forward
What is the DSN?
WHO is the DSN?
Change is inevitable
Designing for change: What didn’t work
Designing for change: What worked
What we’re planning
Photo credit: https://www.askideas.com/baby-girl-making-angry-face-funny-image/
How to Incite Revolution
Big changes with no user research
Drastic changes without good reason
Changes with good reason that are too drastic.
“User Acceptance Testing”
Embrace the “slow blink”
What is the DSN?
WHO is the DSN?
Change is inevitable
Designing for change: What didn’t work
Designing for change: What worked
What we’re planning
Evolution, Not Revolution
Involve early, involve often
Build trust
Iterations
Slow and steady wins the race
… plus these techniques:
#ProTip 1: Observations
Watch them do what they do, where they do it.
Observe normal and non-normal situations
Watch, don’t get involved
Take notes; ask questions later
#ProTip 2: Experiential Research
Do. The. Thing.
#ProTip 3: Paper Prototypes
They’re cheap
They’re quick
They’ll get you 80% of the way there
#ProTip 4: Participatory Design
Directional, not prescriptive
Great for hierarchy of info
Great for seeing how they think
#ProTip 5: Paper Dolls
#ProTip 6: “What changed” Tests
#ProTip 7: Cultivate Ambassadors
Make friends with your users
Not just the happy ones
Close the loop when they give you feedback
#ProTip 8: Banana Bread
I’m just sayin’
The Future of Deep Space Ops
What is the DSN?
WHO is the DSN?
Change is inevitable
Designing for change: What didn’t work
Designing for change: What worked
What we’re planning
How Far Can We Evolve?
Modern technologies – but not too modern
Automation
PR and Goodwill
Training
Photo credit: https://mars.nasa.gov/news/a-mixed-reality-trip-to-mars/ Photo credit: http://bit.ly/2ENkJDy
Your Turn
Questions? Thank you!
@shodoshan [email protected]
Want More? DSN: deepspace.jpl.nasa.gov
Human Interfaces Group: hi.jpl.nasa.gov