TBCS/Chameleon Utility Trial Report

Abstract : This study evaluated the utility and ease of use of features of the Tactical Battlefield Command Systems (TBCS)/Chameleon using participants representing command elements of a combat team. Seven participants role-played an advance to contact scenario developed by Joint Command Staff Training Centre (JCSTC) in 13 segments. Following each segment, participants provided user feedback on 25 key features and tools of the software. The overall results indicated that the features and tools in TBCS/Chameleon are seen to be generally useful by the combat team across a range of activities. Many specific features currently in the software, as well as future features, were seen to have particularly high utility and have the potential to improve situation awareness, reduce workload, improve communication effectiveness and support decision-making. However, there are a number of areas in which the utility of features can be improved. Specific recommendations are made to support these improvements across a range of features including: map use, communication tools, production of orders and access to information. These recommendations concentrate on utility issues with a secondary focus on increasing the ease of use of some features. The user review process should continue at each major build of the TBCS/Chameleon. As the development moves from a concept based development to a fieldable system the user reviews should move from utility based to usability based. Tabletop user reviews of concepts will also assist with design decisions between major builds.