Accelerating Space Tech Insights: A Custom Data Collection Platform for a Technology Shortfall Assessments for NASA’s STMD
CLIENT
NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
INDUSTRY
- Space
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CASE
Custom Data Collection Tool for a Technology Shortfall Assessments for NASA’s STMD
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Overview
Project Synopsis:
NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) needed an efficient and secure platform to assess technology gaps critical to advancing space exploration. To meet this need, NASA hired Ensemble to develop an online data collection platform tailored to collecting in-depth data on these technology shortfalls. The platform was designed with data on these technology shortfalls. The platform was designed to support comprehensive data collection, analysis, and secure data management, contributing to NASA’s strategic planning and future technology investments.
Background of the Problem:
Identifying and prioritizing technology shortfalls is a key challenge for NASA STMD in driving innovation and for space exploration. NASA required an effective platform to gather detailed feedback from experts on technology needs, capturing both quantitative and qualitative data to enable strategic prioritization. Ensemble addressed this by creating a data collection system that aligns with NASA’s branding and adheres to strict security standards, ensuring a seamless and compliant experience for users.
Project Duration:
The project was executed from March 26, 2024, to June 30, 2024,—an exceptionally fast timeline. Within this period, Ensemble completed all stages of design, development, testing, and implementation, delivering a fully functional platform on schedule to meet NASA’s urgent need for the data collection.
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OUR
Approach
To address NASA’s requirements for secure, compliant data collection to technology shortfalls, Ensemble implemented a comprehensive approach focusing on secure platform development, survey design, data handling, and accessibility. This approach ensured a user-friendly experience and the integrity of collected data, aligning with NASA’s mission and standards.
Platform Development and Secure Data Management
Ensemble developed a responsive, user-friendly website platform that aligned with NASA’s branding and compliance requirements. This included implementing a secure registration and login system with password encryption, session management, and a centralized database for storing sensitive data. Security measures, such as data encryption and user access controls, ensured compliance with federal data protection standards.
Survey Design and Use Interaction Optimization
The feedback tool featured 200 questions with varied types, including multiple-choice, subjective scale, and open-comment fields to capture comprehensive responses. Ensemble integrated dynamic question branching and conditional logic to tailor the feedback tool experience based on user inputs, maximizing engagement and response accuracy.
Accessibility Compliance and Inclusivity
Ensemble ensured Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 compliance by designing an accessible platform that accommodated diverse users. This included adaptive themes, alternative text, and accessible headers. Comprehensive audits were carried out using accessiBe to confirm that the platform was accessible.
Data Export and Analytical Tools
Ensemble provided data export capabilities in multiple formats, coupled with an analytics dashboard for NASA’s in-house analysis. This dashboard offered insights and trend visualization, enabling NASA to make data-driven decisions for technology prioritization.
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Results
Results
- Enhanced Data Collection and User Experience Collecting 542 Responses : The secure, user-friendly platform allowed NASA to capture detailed structured feedback on technology shortfalls, including quantitative and qualitative insights.
- Compliance and Accessibility: Full adherence to Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 standards ensured accessibility for all users, aligning with NASA’s commitment to inclusivity.
- Data Integrity and Security: Implementation of strict data security protocols protected sensitive information, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of feedback tool responses.
- Efficient Data Analysis and Reporting: The analytics dashboard and data export functions enabled NASA to easily interpret the results, facilitating strategic planning for future technology initiatives.
- Customer Satisfaction: NASA expressed high satisfaction with Ensemble’s performance, praising the platform’s effectiveness in gathering valuable insights to guide technology prioritization and strategic investments.
NASA utilized the feedback tool results to refine its Space Technology Mission Directorate priorities, helping to focus on the most critical technology needed to support lunar, Mars, and beyond-Earth exploration. This insight gathered is pivotal in directing funding and development efforts towards innovations with the greatest potential impact.
