Substituting Rapid Prototyping for Task Analysis for a Major System Upgrade Project: Lessons Learned

Abstract

Performing a front-end analysis (FEA) is a required part of user training, documentation, and interface development For nuclear-related systems (NUREG CR/0737, DOE Order 5480.6). A traditional FEA for a large existing system can be extremely expensive and require many months to complete. Performing a complete front-end analysis on an emerging or changing system can be even more costly. In some cases, this may be almost impossible because the data required for the later steps in the analysis simply do not exist or are constantly changing. The use of rapid prototyping is less time consuming than the traditional top-down (or sequential front-to-back) approaches used to develop the training, documentation, and human-computer interfaces for new or evolving systems. In addition, it provides for enhanced communication between the analysts, designers, and end users of the system. This paper details the approach taken and the lessons learned for one example of rapid prototyping as applied to a nuclear facility upgrade.