Redesigning Boeing’s “Think. Analyze. Connect.” (TAC) for Enhanced Usability and Decision Support

Problem:
Boeing Intelligence & Analytics (Boeing I&A) had a legacy system, “Think. Analyze. Connect.” (TAC), designed to help analysts manage long-term queries and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks. While TAC allowed analysts to focus more on analysis rather than manual work, over time, the system had become outdated and difficult for new users to navigate. With its various features scattered and cumbersome to use, the system was no longer efficient. Boeing I&A approached us to create a new design concept that would retain TAC’s core functionality while enhancing decision support, making the system more intuitive and effective for users.

Solution:
I led a team of four Cognitive Systems Engineers (CSEs) to tackle the redesign. Our approach began with a deep dive into understanding TAC’s current capabilities and the needs of its users. Through interviews and contextual inquiries with analysts, as well as inspecting quantitative interaction data, we gathered insights into how they used TAC and where the system fell short.

From there, we mapped out the tool’s architecture and common workflows. To improve usability, we audited the workflows against the system architecture, identifying areas where users faced clunky navigation or unnecessary steps to complete simple tasks. This allowed us to streamline interactions and reduce friction in the user experience.

In addition, we modeled the analysts' mental frameworks of their work processes, using these models to identify key decision support opportunities. By aligning TAC’s design with how analysts think and work, we redesigned the dashboards and flagged features that could better support their needs. This transformation turned TAC into a seamless extension of the analyst’s workflow, making it not just a tool, but a valuable partner in their work.

Outcome:
The redesign dramatically improved TAC’s look, feel, and functionality, making it far more intuitive and efficient. By mirroring analysts' mental models and simplifying the navigation, the new TAC empowered users to spend more time on analysis and less on cumbersome, repetitive tasks. The concept promised to be a more effective decision-support tool towards significantly enhancing user productivity and satisfaction.