| The Department of Defense is converting its paper technical manuals to an interactive electronic format as a cost cutting measure. One of the first technical manuals to be converted to an electronic media by the U.S. Army is for the Palletized Load System. This research focused on evaluating the interactive electronic technical manual (IETM) for the Palletized Load System from an end-users' perspective. Input from the end-user is required to ensure that the usability of these technical manuals is not compromised. End-users' expectations were gathered through focus groups and questionnaires at six research sites. Research findings included the need to (a) provide provisions to update IETM information, (b) provide initial comprehensive IETM training with periodic on-site training updates, (c) improve diagnostic and troubleshooting capability, (d) provide color display, printing, data storage and retrieval capability, (e) provide procedures to maintain security, and (f) reduce the size and weight of the prototype IETM. |
