Aircraft Management Dashboard
Client Project / Duration: 8 weeks
As part of a global redesign of an aircraft management system implemented by a defense company, this dashboard aimed to provide users with the ability to quickly and efficiently view the status, servicing levels, and work orders of each individual aircraft in order for it to get ready for flight.
Primary users: the flight maintenance crew, schedulers, and pilots. This design was challenged to balance the different priorities of each role and provide each user type with the necessary information to carry out their work.
* Due to the secure nature of this project, all prototyping and final screens are unable to be published publicly *
Background
Goals
Condense aircraft status overview into a single dashboard page that integrates all aircraft details, levels, and warnings
Allow actionable steps that allow users to carry out specific tasks from the main page or to directly access the application that allows changes to be made
Improve efficiency and reduce the amount of time required for each user to conduct their workflow
Use and improve the existing design system to create a cohesive feel throughout the entire aircraft management system
Ideation
We began our design process by delving into the complexities of the existing design, understanding how users conducted their workflows, as well as where they experienced slow downs and frustrations. To do this, we spoke with users in one-on-one user interviews and recorded them completing their tasks on the current system.
We found that users spent almost 50% of their time on the application searching for the information they needed and navigating between screens.
Discovery
Based on user needs, we created two possible frameworks of organization for users to review. The first framework organized information into two columns with aircraft information and servicing levels on the left and maintenance information (work orders) on the right.
The second framework prioritized warnings at the top of the page and gave users the ability to read the information while minimizing the number of clicks needed. General aircraft information was kept brief at the top of the page as it rarely changes, and maintenance information is located at the bottom to give users more room to scroll through.
Initial Wireframes and Concepts
User Testing & Feedback
Seeing general aircraft information and warnings at as the very first thing at the top of the page
Skimming summary information but being able to expand panels for more information below
Being able to make quick updates to things such as servicing levels or access the maintenance and work orders application directly from its summary
Users Liked
Side-by-side view, as they felt that it was too crowded and overwhelming to look at
The number of active warnings and status indicators across the page (colors and symbols) as it was distracting
Not enough emphasis on flight status or release for flight process
Users Disliked
Final Design & Reflection
For the final design we were able to synthesize our two suggested frameworks to incorporate the features from each one that found most productive. A final design was created in the dark design system to match the rest of the applications in the redesign. Warnings, flight status, and comments are positioned at the top of the page for users to review first, as a means to direct their attention to the most pressing matters. Each of these sections can be expanded by users for further review without leaving the page.
We also provided users with direct actions to update service levels or go directly to an application. Additionally, we introduced a side panel that allows users to view a summary of the squadron information and quickly scroll through and switch between different aircraft without needing to go back to a separate page to make the selection.
We also determined that it would be helpful for users to be able to configure their dashboard further by selecting the vertical priority of each section in regard to their role and tasks. Additionally, users may be benefit from a personal section on their account where they can add notes or save certain aircraft or work orders for reference.