An Evaluation of GeoBEST Contingency Beddown Planning Software Using the Technology Acceptance Model

GeoBEST (Base Engineer Survey Toolkit) is a software program built under contract with the USAF. It is designed to simplify the contingency beddown planning process through application of geographic information technology. The purpose of this thesis was to thoroughly evaluate GeoBEST using prospective GeoBEST users in a realistic beddown planning scenario. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was applied, which measures a prospective user's perceptions of the technology's usefulness and ease-of- use and predicts their intentions to use the software in the future. The evaluation also included a qualitative evaluation of specific software features. The test group for this thesis was seventy-one Civil Engineering students attending contingency skills training at the Silver Flag training site, Tyndall AFB, FL. The students were given a one-hour interactive demonstration of GeoBEST after which they completed a survey. The students were given the option of using the program for preparation of their assigned beddown plan. Some Silver Flag instructors also completed a separate survey.The results from the TAM predict that the students were only slightly likely to use GeoBEST for beddown planning in the future. Throughout the course of the research, several features of GeoBEST were identified that limit the program's effectiveness. Some of these were minor irritants, while others were serious design flaws. Recommendations are made for implementation of GeoBEST and creation of training programs for prospective users.