Abstract
- [*] Designing the Next Generation of User Support Tools:
Methodology
- Koratkar A., Douglas R., Gerb A., Jones J.,
Peterson K, van der Marel R.P.
- in `Observatory Operations to Optimize Scientific Return II',
Quinn P., ed., Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4010
p. 90-97, 2000
- © 2000. SPIE. All Rights Reserved.
In this paper we present a strategy for developing the next generation
of proposal preparation tools so that we can continue to optimize
scientific returns from the Hubble Space Telescope in an era of
constrained budgets. The new proposal preparation tools must be built
with two goals: (1) to facilitate scientific investigation for
observers, and (2) to decrease the effort spent on routine matters by
observatory staff. We have based our conclusions on lessons learned
from the Next Generation Space Telescope's Scientist's Expert
Assistant experiment. We conclude that: (1) Compared to existing
Hubble Space Telescope's Phase II RPS2 software, a modern set of
proposal tools and an environment that integrates them will be
appreciated by the user community. From the user's perspective the
proposed software must be more intuitive, visual, and responsive. From
the observatory's perspective the tools must be interoperable and
extensible to other observatories. (2) To ensure state-of-the-art
tools for proposal preparation for the user community, there needs to
be a management structure that supports innovation. Further, the
development activities need to be divided into innovating and fielding
efforts to prevent operational pressures from inhibiting
innovation. This will allow use of up-to-date technology so that the
system can remain fluid and responsive to changes.
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Last modified October 18, 2000.
Roeland van der Marel,
marel@stsci.edu.
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