THE COCKPIT METAPHOR

Engineering design is increasingly being supported by automatic proced ures capable of improving a design but which, nevertheless, require hu man guidance if they are to be successful. Such guidance requires an e ffective interface. One such interface, recently implemented within a complex engineering design tool, is based upon the Cockpit Metaphor wh ich is the subject of this paper. The metaphor was invented by domain experts and a psychologist, not in response to a commission but as an innovative statement of a fruitful path which future engineering desig n tools might follow. This paper describes the context of the Cockpit Metaphor, the requirements influencing its incorporation in the Cockpi t interface, the evaluations carried out, and the research issues rais ed.