Designing the Future Warfighter Experience and Accelerating JADC2 through a Common Design System

– By Chris Klee, Chief Design Officer at Hypergiant and Lead Product Owner of Hypergiant’s Common Battle Management Interface

Tangible Results of the JADC2 Conversation

The national narrative on Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) hasn’t netted any real outcomes that are tangible to warfighters today. To some – that means that JADC2 is just another strategy that isn’t going to change the way we go to war. Services are presumed to just keep building their stovepiped C2 solutions, but in reality that isn’t true.  Today’s software revolution has made it possible to finally bridge the gap between services on a Common Battle Management Interface (CBI).

The traditional approach to software development has led to each service having their own outdated solutions and fragmented systems within the Department of Defense (DoD). Traditional Primes in the defense industry have relied on proprietary commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) software solutions that were developed in isolation, resulting in platform lock-in and multiple stove-piped systems. These legacy systems operate as independent silos of data, requiring users to train and navigate through numerous screens and interfaces in order to accomplish tasks that require quick response times and are emotionally taxing. Moreover, exorbitant licensing costs for each instance of these applications have hindered the government’s ability to adapt and innovate effectively. The lack of interoperability or jointness among these systems further exacerbates the inefficiencies and hinders the seamless integration of data or ability to build intelligence with a full data picture.

Hypergiant, however, is revolutionizing the way warfighters experience technology by leveraging the power of design and modern architecture. By employing a shared Design System and an open architecture, Hypergiant is creating a unified user experience, streamlining workflows, and propelling the advancement of JADC2 on a single pane of glass.

A Model Approach (Government Owned Solutions)

Hypergiant is taking a transformative approach to software development by embracing Government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) solutions. Rather than building isolated software platforms, and forcing the government into vendor locked solutions, Hypergiant focuses on creating a foundational product that can be customized and scaled across all services and Combatant Commands (COCOMS) without the need for numerous licenses and fees. This model approach ensures a unified user experience, allowing for customizations that can be written back to the foundational product or shared with other domains. By leveraging GOTS solutions, Hypergiant empowers warfighters with technology that is tailored to their specific needs, promoting interoperability and efficiency across the DoD – and better yet, saving taxpayers billions of dollars.

The Power of a Shared Design System

Brandon Pierce, Head of Development on Hypergiant’s Common Battle Management Interface says,

“A critical component of achieving true JADC2 lies in the establishment of a single, common UI layer. While different domains possess their own unique datasets, a unified user experience can bridge these disparate data sources.”

A shared design system enables the harmonization of interfaces, interactions, and visual components, providing a cohesive user experience that transcends individual systems or organizations. By unifying the design language across the DoD, Hypergiant is paving the way for enhanced collaboration, improved decision-making, and accelerated mission outcomes.

Warfighters at the Core of Design and Development

To ensure the design system’s effectiveness, Hypergiant collaborates closely with warfighters. Through regular feedback sessions, warfighters are integrated into the design, development, and new feature scoping processes. By involving them early and often, Hypergiant builds a system specifically designed to address their unique challenges, human factors, and requirements. This approach fosters the development of champions and early adopters, establishing a user-centric culture that drives continuous improvement and continuous delivery.

Understanding a Design System

A design system encompasses more than just visual components. It provides comprehensive documentation, including guidelines for usage and updates, thereby improving the efficiency of software development. Key components of a design system typically include:

• Visual examples of standardized UI components: Design systems provide a library of visual components, ensuring consistency in the user interface across applications.
• Code implementation: Ready-to-use code snippets enable developers to seamlessly integrate the standardized UI components into their applications.
• Rules for component usage: Design systems establish guidelines on how different components can be combined to build interfaces and applications.
• Principles and governance: The design system reflects the underlying principles upon which it was built, and it establishes rules for its governance and maintenance.

Benefits of a Design System

Implementing a shared design system yields several advantages for the DoD and warfighters:

• Improved user experiences: By ensuring consistency in design and interactions, a design system enhances user experiences, leading to increased efficiency and satisfaction.
• Harmonious application ecosystem: A shared design system creates a cohesive experience across applications, reducing cognitive load and enabling seamless navigation.
• Faster deployment and enhancement: Design systems expedite the development process, allowing teams to focus more on generating value through improved user experiences.
• Standardization for intelligence-driven applications: A design system provides the necessary standardization of UI components, fostering the development of intelligence-driven applications.
• Increased adoption and utilization: A well-implemented design system encourages adoption and utilization of technology across the DoD, promoting a contemporary, technology-driven organization.
• Consistent voice with flexibility: A design system establishes a consistent visual and conceptual voice for the DoD while remaining adaptable to the unique needs of individual COCOMS.

An Open and Shared Model for Scalability

To effectively scale a design system within the complex landscape of the DoD, domains and individual COCOMS, a modular approach is essential. Hypergiant adopts a tiered model that provides shared components with support for specific customizations:

Tier 1: Foundational guidelines and component library

• This tier encompasses the overarching design system, providing foundational guidelines and a library of components.

Tier 2: Kits supporting individual domains or COCOMS

• These kits are extensions of the foundational system, tailored to the specific requirements of individual services or Combatant Commands.

Tier 3: Kits supporting individual missions

• This tier focuses on microservices or mission-specific kits that align with the overall design system, ensuring consistency within smaller operational units.

Accelerating Development with a Design System

The speed of development significantly improves when utilizing a design system. Research conducted by Figma demonstrated that designers working with a complete design system could achieve a 34% increase in productivity compared to those starting from scratch. These efficiency gains come from utilizing standardized UI components, established design principles, and well-documented guidelines.

Whereas legacy service providers may take six months to release a new feature, Hypergiant focuses on Continuous Improvement and Continuous Development, leveraging the efficiencies gained through the design system to design, develop, and deploy new features in two week sprints. Through tighter feedback loops and speed to deployment, we are able to provide new mission capabilities over night.

Central Governance for a Sustainable Design System

To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of a design system, a clear structure of governance is essential. Hypergiant employs a workflow approach to new components for consideration. This model involves a designated team responsible for maintaining and governing the design system, which is then shared by other product teams and made available to other DoD groups. Balancing adherence to the system while allowing for necessary customization is crucial for maintaining its effectiveness and adaptability.

Conclusion

Hypergiant is leading the charge in leveraging the power of design to shape the future of warfighter experience across the DoD. By adopting a shared Design System and a Common Battle Management Interface, Hypergiant is breaking down silos, promoting interoperability, and empowering warfighters with innovative technology. Through collaboration with warfighters, an open and modular approach, and central governance, Hypergiant is driving the transformation of the DoD into a modern, technology-driven organization. The future of Joint All-Domain Command and Control is being realized through a unified user experience and intelligent solutions that streamline C2 operations and enhance mission success.