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Connecting the dots: reducing fragmentation in radio-telescopes user interfaces

We analysed the User Interfaces (UIs) in the control rooms of some radio-telescopes and found that the structure of the workflow that users have to follow in order to complete some tasks is often non optimal. This is worsened by the poor consistency of the UIs due to the number of different tools with different navigation mechanisms, different look and feel, and different representations of information that are used. In general, poor integration of the UIs leads to potential confusion and to higher cognitive load resulting in higher error rates, lower productivity, more frustration, reduced effectiveness. Therefore, when possible, it should be avoided. In this paper we provide concrete suggestions of what information needs to be integrated for focal tasks that are carried out in the control room of radio-telescopes, and what consequences could arise if some of this information is missing. For example, the alarm management task should be supported among others by details about failures, procedures to cope with the alarm, system logs, shift-reports and contact information of the persons involved. UI designers could take advantage of such suggestions to develop new UIs or to improve existing ones.