The Process and Methods Used to Evaluate Prototype Operational Hydrometeorological Workstations

Abstract

In support of the National Weather Service (NWS) modernization, the Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) has been developing prototype hydrometeorological workstations for many years. The FSL Evaluation Team (E-Team) has developed a process of evaluating these prototypes to provide feedback to FSL developers and NWS management. This paper outlines the evaluation process with an emphasis on the methods, which consist of product usage logs, questionnaires, evaluation logs, structured tasks, observations, and interviews. Examples from E-Team evaluations illustrate how results from these different methods have led to improved workstation design, implementation, and training.