When completing tasks in complex, dynamic domains observers must consider the relationships among many variables (e.g., integrated tasks) as well as the values of individual variables (e.g., focused tasks). A critical issue in display design is whether or not a single display format can achieve the dual design goals of supporting performance at both types of tasks. We consider this issue from a variety of perspectives. One relevant perspective is the basic research on attention and object perception, which concentrates on the interaction between visual features and processing capabilities. The principles of configurality are discussed, with the conclusion that they support the possibility of achieving the dual design goals. These considerations are necessary but not sufficient for effective display design. Graphic displays map information from a domain into visual features; the tasks to be completed are defined in terms of the domain, not in terms of the visual features alone. The implications of this subtle but extremely important difference are discussed. The laboratory research investigating alternative display formats is reviewed. Much like the attention literature, the results do not rule out the possibility that the dual design goals can be achieved.

When performing tasks in complex, dynamic domains individuals must consider information regarding both high-level constraints (relationships among several variables, performance goals) and low-level data (the values of individual variables). Previous research has revealed mixed results concerning the effectiveness of configural displays in achieving these dual design goals. Two empirical studies were conducted to investigate these issues using a laboratory analogue of a complex, dynamic task modeled on a real-world domain. Performance with a configural display, which highlighted the low-level data, was compared with performance with a bar graph display. For the extraction of information about high-level constraints in a memory probe task, the configural display significantly increased accuracy with no cost in latency. For low-level data there were no differences in accuracy across the two display conditions, but there was a significant cost in latency with the configural display. However, this cost was dependent on both experience and system state. These results suggest that configural displays can be designed to support the extraction of both high-level constraints and low-level data in complex, dynamic domains. To support the extraction of information for high-level constraints, the emergent features produced by a configural display must reflect the critical data relationships that are present in the domain. To support the extraction of low-level data, the graphical elements of the display must be made more salient perceptually through a variety of techniques, including emphasis of scale, spatial separation, and color-coding.

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The authors use the cognitive systems engineering framework to design and evaluate an interface for military command and control. They discuss analytic tools and principles of this framework and provide concrete examples (e.g., work domain analyses for U.S. Army tactical operations at the battalion level). They also discuss principles of ecological interface design, including direct perception, direct manipulation, and the perception-action loop. The translation between work domain analyses and the specific characteristics of the interface are made explicit. The authors describe the potential for this interface to support effective decision making and problem solving, including links with naturalistic decision-making approaches. Evaluations of the interface have been positive and are described briefly. Actual or potential applications of this research include both specific interface design strategies for military command and control and general interface design principles for this category of work domain.

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