The aviation industry has utilized some interesting applications of technology in recent times, not least around using things such as augmented reality to help train pilots.

Such a gamified approach is not restricted to training applications, with recent examples suggesting it could be equally useful in the restructuring of IT systems in the sector, at least according to researchers from the Norwegian institute SINTEF.

“In its simplest form this may just be hype, such as awarding points for things like filling out your timesheet before the weekend,” says SINTEF researcher Erlend Andreas Gjære. “But our focus is on quite a different track,” he continues.

Gaming security

The researchers, together with colleagues from Germany and Italy, are exploring how gamification can on solutions in the aviation sector designed to respond to changes in security, safety and economics.

The project was born out of the need to provide better IT systems to manage the huge growth in air traffic in Europe, and the difficulties the existing infrastructure has in coping with it.  Everything from air traffic control to baggage handling is straining under the weight of the extra traffic.  Changing these systems is notoriously difficult however, and there are a litany of failed projects to warn us of the perils that lie in wait.

The team believe that by using a game based approach they can secure more effective and long-lasting change.

“Our approach is not competition-based. However, we are trying to create the same experiences that computer games provide, such as the mastery of new challenges and proficiency in finding out new things and taking the lead,” they say. “If there’s anything that aviation experts need in the face of major IT system restructuring, it’s better communication,” he says. “The aviation sector has lacked a high-level command structure for system development. For this reason, the airlines, domestic and international aviation authorities, and the safety and infrastructure organisations, will have to work effectively together. It is here that we believe that gamification can come into its own.”

To achieve this, they have developed a modelling tool to both coordinate and integrate the various change proposals.  The tool has been developed on a number of core principles:

• Proficiency in facilitating the exchange of various points of view
• High levels of autonomy so that experts in one field can easily tap into expertise from other fields
• Collaboration, with gamification used to help the teams to work effectively together

The project is running until 2018, by which time the model will hopefully be ready for use in making change a smoother process.