Crafting User Experience for High Seas
WESEE, Ministry of Defence2023
About the Organisation
Weapons & Electronics Systems Engineering Establishment [ WESEE ]
WESEE architects the technological backbone of the Indian Navy, empowering warships with integrated combat systems for decisive action.
As a crucial and autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Defence, WESEE relentlessly focuses on developing, integrating, and maintaining advanced weapons and electronics technologies. Their expertise is vital to India's maritime defence, ensuring the operational readiness of the Navy's diverse fleet of ships, submarines, aircraft, and weapon platforms. My internship with WESEE provided an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to this vital national mission, allowing me to gain hands-on experience at the cutting-edge of naval defence technology.
Infrastructure
Command and Control Systems [ C2 ]
In the realm of modern naval warfare, Command and Control (C2) systems are the technological lifelines that empower strategic decision-making.
These sophisticated systems integrate communication networks, radar, sensors, and decision-making tools to provide a real-time picture of the battlespace. This situational awareness is critical for the Indian Navy to protect its vast maritime interests and safeguard trade routes. WESEE plays a vital role in developing and maintaining these critical C2 systems, fostering India's self-reliance in naval defense technology. My internship at WESEE offered an invaluable opportunity to contribute directly to these efforts, with my project aimed at further strengthening the Navy's C2 capabilities.
A demo C2 System setup in the WESEE Offices.
source: news18.com
Overview
About the Project
Within the Indian Navy's Combat Management Systems (CMS), existing limitations in maritime communication and navigation systems presented challenges that this project aimed to solve.
The project centered on enhancing Combat Management Systems (CMS) for the Indian Navy. Existing limitations in maritime communication and navigation systems became the core problem my work aimed to address. I focused on designing a new Peer-to-Peer (P2P) communication tool and refining maritime navigational charts. The goal was to facilitate secure and customizable communication among vessels while improving the usability of navigational charts for complex environments. This project is designed to impact the Indian Navy's operational efficiency and situational awareness through collaborative decision-making, streamlined communication, and optimized navigation processes.
I designed a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) communication tool for seamless communication among onboard Multi-Function Consoles (MFCs) using calls and text. Employing UDP sockets ensures reliable message delivery even in unstable connections. My design prioritizes domain-specific needs while maintaining a simple, intuitive interface for ease of use.
As part of the next-gen CMS redesign, I focused on enhancing the navigational module dashboard to provide naval personnel with superior visualisation and decision-making tools for complex maritime environments. I refined existing maritime charts, adding new features and streamlining the user experience to optimise navigation processes and increase situational awareness.
I contributed to redesigning the next-generation Combat Management System (CMS), focusing on creating user-centered interfaces for improved usability and efficiency. My aim was to optimise decision-making and operational capabilities for naval personnel through intuitive solutions tailored to their unique needs.
About my role
As a User Experience and System Designer, I played a key role in redesigning and developing the next generation of the CMS
My focus was on creating user-centered systems and dashboards to significantly improve the CMS's usability and efficiency. This aimed to facilitate quick decision-making and optimize operational capabilities for Navy personnel. My work spanned the full product lifecycle, from ideation to seamless execution, and involved collaborating closely with naval officers, scientists, developers, and project managers to create contextually relevant tools and solutions. To gain a deep understanding of the intricate needs of CMS stakeholders, I dedicated a month and a half to meticulous requirements gathering. I also conducted extensive user testing throughout the product design stages to ensure functionality and a user-centric approach.
Design Process
My approach to tackling both communication and navigation challenges centered on a deep dive into Naval C2 Systems and the Maritime Chart Standards established by the International Hydrographic Organisation. This thorough analysis allowed me to gather comprehensive requirements and formulate design considerations tailored to the unique demands of naval operations. Throughout the design process, I maintained a laser focus on the end-users, ensuring that the solutions I developed were intuitive, efficient, and ultimately aligned with the needs of those operating the CMS.
Other Projects that I worked on
Special Mentions
My work at WESEE gained significant recognition when my project, the Communication Utility Tool (P2P), was showcased at the prestigious Second Commander's Conference 2023 in New Delhi.
This distinguished event provided a unique opportunity to present my work directly to esteemed Indian defense leaders, including Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan PVSM, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar, and other prominent defense dignitaries and officials.
Key Takeaways
My key learnings and takeaways
My internship solidified the importance of deeply understanding the unique challenges, demands, and work environment of naval personnel – the eventual end-users of the CMS. It became clear that designing impactful solutions goes far beyond technical expertise. It requires a commitment to empathy and translating detailed user needs into interfaces and systems that truly enhance their operational efficiency.
The success of a complex project like CMS modernization rests upon a foundation of effective communication and collaboration across diverse stakeholders. My internship taught me to navigate interactions with naval officers, scientists, developers, and project managers. It also emphasized the need to translate technical concepts and design choices in a way that fosters shared understanding and buy-in from all those involved.
While focusing on immediate project deliverables is essential, it's equally crucial to think strategically about the long-term evolution of defense systems like the CMS. I learned to anticipate the potential for future capabilities and design with scalability and adaptability in mind. It's essential to ensure the technology remains relevant and effective in the face of evolving threats and mission requirements.
Disclaimer
🫠Unfortunately, I can't spill the beans on the nitty-gritty project stuff, due to my agreement with WESEE on Indian Official Secret's Act, 1993 (Act No. XIX of 1923).
However, I'd love to chat one-on-one about how I tackle design, share some insights, and dive into the experiences and lessons learned from the project.
Let's connect!
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