Knowledge Visualization: Redesigning the Human-Computer Interface

Knowledge-based computer algorithms help human operators make decisions. The complexity and sophistication of such algorithms provide sufficient compu-tational support for successful outcomes. The real challenge is designing a visual delivery system that presents information clearly, thereby enhancing the decision-making process. The primary focus of our existing human-computer interface was on improving the processing performed by the initial algorithms, rather than presenting the information in a manner that facilitated human understanding. Our new goal was to redesign that human-computer interface so that the user could more easily access, understand, and use the information provided by the algorithms. Using a story metaphor, we identified and linked three basic visualization layers for delivery of the information: geospatial, temporal, and logical. The underlying technology used visualization techniques that allowed humans to better understand the output of automated reasoning algorithms in support of military and intelligence community decision making. Metrics were defined to quantify the effectiveness of this technology for knowledge visualization in decision making. The design was demonstrated for a strategic command and control program. The knowledge visualization was found to be intuitive and easy to navigate. Our ongoing work will quantify the extent to which decisions are made faster, more accurately, and with smaller crews.