DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A MULTI-CHANNEL MILITARY APPLICATION USING INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE MODEL (IDM) PROVIDING ENHANCED USABILITY

Abstract

Usability used to be the key quality attribute of the software systems. Usability issues were explicitly considered and evaluated to design and develop different types of applications like e-commerce, e-governance, e-learning, e-health etc. Defence forces were also using different types of applications focusing specific group of users in a specific context like battle, war and special operations. Existing design techniques were proposed mainly for developing general purpose applications. Though, a limited number studies had been conducted focusing on usability and user experience (UX) issues of military applications focusing user-centered design process and usability evaluation. Moreover, no specific design technique as well as usability factors were suggested in existing literature to design and develop military application with enhanced usability. Thus, it was a crucial issue to explore the best suited design technique for developing military application with enhanced usability as well as to reveal the all possible usability factors that were explicitly required in designing and developing a military application. Therefore, the objectives of this thesis were firstly, to explore the best suited deign technique for developing military application, secondly, to reveal the all possible usability factors that would be suitable for developing and evaluating any military application and finally, to develop an example military application in order to evaluate and validate the selected design technique and the revealed usability factors. As such, an Advanced Battlefield Communication System was designed using the Interactive Dialogue Model (IDM) technique, and the application supported the command structure to enable the higher commanders by establishing an audio-video communication link with the front-line troops. An explorative study was conducted following the Focused Group Discussion (FGD) approach with 20 participants to explore the possible usability factors for developing any military application; while an evaluation study was conducted following the field study with 30 participants to assess the applicability of IDM approach in developing military application and to validate the revealed usability factors. As outcome, this thesis found the IDM technique as a suitable design approach for developing both website and mobile applications. A total of 14 usability factors were revealed for designing and developing more usable and user-friendly military applications. Finally an advanced battlefield communication system for Special Forces of was developed for Bangladesh Army.