Maneuvering Board Training System: Analysis and Redesign.

Ship handling in traffic is a difficult task and the consequences of error can be grave. The effort described herein explores the application of microcomputer technology to the problem of training procedures used to determine appropriate ship maneuvers. A maneuvering board training system was developed, implemented, and installed in a fleet training school. Instructors found the system useful but did not use it regularly because of the complexity of the user interface. Weaknesses in the interface were identified, and the interface was redesigned to make it more usable. The redesign process highlights the tradeoffs that must be made between the systems conceptual coverage and the complexity of the user interface. Author