Kessel Run - MaiTai

Kessel Run, a U.S. Air Force division, redefines DoD software development. Using agile methodologies, design thinking, and DevOps to migrate projects from traditional contractors, ensuring our warfighters have agile and ever-ready defense tools.

Problem Statement

Design a real-time, data-driven solution with actionable insights for the 609th AOC. During my tenure, I worked on several applications. The focus of this Case Study is MaiTai, a FRoB (Friendly Order of Battle) application that collects, verifies, and distributes data across the KRADOS suite of applications.

Goals

Improve the MaiTai app within the integrated KRADOS suite for air tasking, control, and planning.

User Research

Conducted interviews and workshops to validate personas and deeply understand workflows and needs.

Ideation

Created ongoing wires, mocks, and prototypes to keep pace with the evolving KRADOS platform.

Design Solutions

Simplified complex tasks and unified interface style across integrated apps like Skyhook. Made UX recommendations including simplified flows and security.

User Testing

Regular virtual and on-location testing with users to measure solution effectiveness.

Results

The version I worked on was fully tested, and vetted and was in part responsible for the adoption of KRADOS by the 609th, changing mindsets and the adoption process away from defense contractors to Air Force personnel.

Key Takeaways

•  As a civilian gaining a full understanding of the significance of military jargon as it relates to the Air Force duties, tasks, and outcomes. 

• Engaging with active military personnel to assess their priorities, demands of their work, and their modes of working to complete assigned tasks with accuracy.

• Bring part of a semi-autonomous small squad (designers, developers, and product managers) measured on delivery of lean slices of productivity, bound by OKRs and KPIs.