Visual representation of connectivity information for efficient system understanding

Abstract

This paper describes how User Center Design (UCD) methodology has been applied to develop a new visualization concept to support operation and maintenance of an oil and gas facility. The ultimate goal of the work is to improve energy efficiency in plant operation by creating an interactive visual representation of process and equipment dependencies at a modern industrial plant. This visualization concept aims to highlight important information which is today hidden in disparate information sources, and to support collaboration between personnel from different technical disciplines. The paper explains how user studies were used to promote the knowledge elicitation process and how UCD methods are being applied to the definition of functional requirements and to the creation of early concept prototypes.

Keywords

user studies user centered design qualitative research visualization oil and gas

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