Nicole Almeida Costa

Gaps Between Users and Designers: A Usability Study About a Tablet-Based Application Used on Ship Bridges

© Springer International Publishing AG 2018. In recent years, Information Technology (IT) applications have been developed for the traditional shipping industry aiming at improving safety and efficiency, but the design vision is dominantly technology-centric without much attention being given to the user’s actual work experience or needs. A usability study is an approach to uncover the gap between users and designers. Although there is substantial research on usability, the values and usability of the tabletbased applications used on ship bridges have rarely been investigated. In this paper, a tablet-based computer application was developed to provide decision support to river pilots for passing under bridges in the Gothenburg area. Experienced pilots were invited to participate in a simulated navigational environment. By exploring the potential barriers in using such novel applications on a bridge, this study aims to address the human factor concerns for future IT design and developments in the maritime domain.

Identifying Gaps, Opportunities and User Needs for Future E-navigation Technology and Information Exchange

Since IMO’s recent approval of the E-navigation strategy, projects like EfficienSea2 have focused on improving information exchange, safety and efficiency of navigation. To identify current gaps and potential development opportunities, this study investigated the current maritime network, typical work practices and technologies through qualitative research with the Swedish Vessel Traffic Services, coastal pilots and navigation instructors. Maritime operations happen within a resilient sociotechnical system where ship- and shore-based operators work in cooperation to achieve common goals. However, the low interconnection of information technologies was evident, and basic local navigational information was dispersed, sometimes conflicting or inaccessible, increasing uncertainty and complicating decision-making for ship- and shore-based stakeholders. New e-navigation solutions may not only alter work processes but also the organisation of the maritime network.

Non‑technical communication factors at the Vessel Traffic Services

This study done at the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) explored how the VTS operators (VTSOs) communicated with ships and other actors in the maritime sociotechnical system and how decisions were made with regard to assisting traffic in maintaining safe passage in port areas, where most vessel movements are seen and accidents occur. The fieldwork was done during four independent visits to a VTS centre under the Swedish Maritime Authority, with a total sample of six VTSOs and one VTS instructor. The qualitative data were sorted and coded using a grounded theory approach. The data pointed at non-technical information processing and communication factors that play a role in decision-making and ultimately in safety. During protocol operations at the VTS, these factors influenced how VTSOs judged the skills of the vessels’ bridge teams, and how they approached them. This is a time where much effort is being put into upgrading technological systems, and these will have the power to change the ways in which the maritime network obtains and processes information, as well as how they can communicate with each other. The further development of technological systems, work protocols and training programmes can benefit from taking the soft aspects of communication and the needs of the operators and their tasks into account for the enhancement of safety.

Implementing human centred design in the context of a graphical user interface redesign for ship manoeuvring

Human Centred Design (HCD) has been well-established in industrial and interaction design since the 1990s. HCD has a significant role to play as maritime industries struggle to retain the best crews and decrease risk in terms of human and environmental safety. This case study describes a test of an HCD approach, conducted within the European Commission project Crew-centred Design and Operations of Ships and Ship Systems (CyClaDes) under its Seventh Framework Programme. The HCD case study was undertaken by a design team at a partner firm for the redesign of a bridge wing conning display (a ship manoeuvring system) in their full mission ship bridge simulator. This paper summarizes the findings from the case study and discusses them from the perspective of the challenges, benefits, and most effective ways to introduce and use HCD in firms in the maritime sector unfamiliar with the concept. The authors of this paper performed observations, interviews and focus groups at regular intervals, augmented with reports and a resource survey completed by the design team. The conclusions highlight the impact of industrial context and constraints on the application of the HCD approach, as well as the impact of who applies HCD, of how it is depicted in literature and perceived by HCDnovice teams.

A case study of user adherence and software project performance barriers from a sociotechnical viewpoint

A marine propeller company and a technical university collaborated to optimize the company’s existing propeller design software. This paper reviews the project based on a sociotechnical perspective to organizational change on (a) how the university-company project and user involvement were organized, and (b) what the main management barriers were and why they may have occurred. Fieldwork included interviews and observations with university and company stakeholders over thirteen months. The data was analyzed and sorted into themes describing the barriers, such as lack of a planned strategy for deliverables or resource use in the project; the users exhibited low adherence towards the optimized software, as well as there was limited time and training allocated for them to test it. Lessons learned suggest clarifying stakeholder roles and contributions, and engaging the users earlier and beyond testing the software for malfunctions to enhance knowledge mobilization, involve them in the change and increase acceptance.

Designing for safe operations: promoting a human-centred approach to complex vessel design

ABSTRACT The benefits of a human-centred approach to design have been widely recognised throughout industry, in the research community and by regulatory bodies. In the maritime domain, it is also beginning to make an impact. This article explores how a human-centred approach may successfully be achieved within the context of ship design using a case study from a project to create conceptual designs for two offshore wind turbine installation vessels. Using vessel designs as a mediating tool between designers, users and human factors specialists, basic task analysis and link analysis methods were used to incorporate operational knowledge into the design process. After applying this to the integration of a dynamic positioning system on one of the vessels, the designers concluded that a human-centred approach had improved not only ship safety, but also safety, efficiency and cost-effectiveness in operations.

Perceived success factors of participatory ergonomics in ship design

BACKGROUND: The more complex and perilous a sociotechnical system is, the more crucial it is to have users and other relevant stakeholder groups in focus throughout its design lifecycle. In the design and development of ships and ship systems, there has been resistance towards the integration of ergonomic principles through a human-centred approach as well as to involving the user. This inattention can result in an inadequate design, which may have negative repercussions on usability, ultimately threatening the safety of onboard operations, overall system performance and the well-being of the crew. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the perceived success factors of participatory ergonomics based on the standpoint of young seafarers. METHODS: Such is achieved by examining a focus group with cadets inspired by Grounded Theory approach. RESULTS: The findings reveal user participation as a designer’s essential contact with reality, provided that a set of pre-conditions that supports the success of participatory ergonomics can be fulfilled: involving the right users and filling in the gap between end-user needs and ship-owner requirements. The consequent success factors are described at a usability level, an intrinsic level for the end-users, and ultimately at the level of increased safety and efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: User input may not only affect design as an outcome, it may also influence the way participatory ergonomics is performed in the maritime sector.