Skyz Radar System UX Transformation

The goal was to leverage UX best practices to improve productivity during the installation process for Skyler-III capabilities. The project aimed to reduce manpower requirements, minimize human error, and enhance the overall customer experience by deeply understanding the goals and needs of diverse users, including installers, operators, and maintainers.

The team executed a comprehensive design strategy:

User Research: Conducted interviews that revealed user needs extended far beyond the primary operator role.

Workflow Design: Developed a Simple Setup Wizard for installers, replacing manual processes with a guided "Start from Scratch" workflow. This included an instructional tour and automated configuration steps for site details (location, altitude) and mission definitions.

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Information Architecture: Re-engineered the navigation and site architecture to provide a unified Global Dashboard. This enabled situational awareness (SA) across single and multi-site environments through intuitive toggles and site mapping.

Role-Based Access: Defined clear user journeys for first-time and returning users, facilitating seamless permission hand-offs between installers and site controllers.

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The UX investment delivered significant impact:

Efficiency Gains: Installation productivity improved by up to 66%.

Cost Reduction: Addressed setup tasks that previously cost more than $14,000 per radar (up to $60K per site) in labor alone.

High Maturity: Achieved a Technical/Human Readiness Level (TRL/HRL) of 9/7 and supported 3 IP/Patent filings.

Recognition: The Skyler project was featured on NASA.gov for its advancements in radar science.

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