The role of usability evaluation in the development of self-service kiosk concept for tool management in aviation maintenance operations

Thumbnail Image

URL

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

School of Science | Master's thesis

Authors

Date

2025-12-31

Department

Major/Subject

Software and Service Engineering

Mcode

Degree programme

Master's Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences
Master's Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences
Master's Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences

Language

en

Pages

132

Series

Abstract

As aviation maintenance becomes increasingly digital, the integration of advanced digital systems has intensified, transforming how maintenance operations are planned, executed, and monitored. This thesis explores the role of usability evaluation in shaping the design and development of a self-service kiosk (SSK) concept for managing tools in aviation maintenance. In this context, ensuring the usability of these systems through user-centered design is essential to maintain safety and operational efficiency. The study addresses three central research questions. Firstly, it examines existing practices in aviation maintenance to identify those that can correspond to the adoption of MROTools.io SSK. Secondly, it evaluates suitable approaches for conducting usability studies of the self-service kiosk prototype. Finally, it shows that usability evaluation delivers development-relevant results that can contribute to the refinement of the MROTools.io SSK concept. Following a human-centered design framework, the research employs a mixed-methods usability evaluation approach. The evaluation combines field-based usability testing, System Usability Scale (SUS) scores, Single Ease Question (SEQ) metrics, and qualitative methods such as think-aloud protocol and semi-structured user interviews. Quantitative results confirm moderate to high usability, while qualitative data revealed friction points in search, login, and feedback features. Despite its limited sample size and brief timeframe, the study demonstrates that even lightweight, field-based usability methods can generate meaningful contributions, and provide valuable insights to support the successful integration of new digital systems into maintenance workflows. The research concludes that usability evaluation serves as an essential tool for iterative testing and continuous improvement. Future work is proposed to establish usability as a routine and agile practice within development workflows.

Description

Supervisor

Nieminen, Marko

Keywords

usability evaluation, user experience, aviation, self-service kiosk, usability, user-centered design, maintenance

Other note

Citation

Permanent link to this item

https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202601221868

Collections

[dipl] Perustieteiden korkeakoulu / SCI