EXTENSION ACTIVITY SUPPORT SYSTEM (EASY)
DEMONSTRATOR USE CASES
Use Case Specification
Developed for
DPI Victoria and Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information (CRC –
SI)
Prepared by Spatial Vision Innovations Pty Ltd ABN 28 092 695 951
March 2010
Level 2 170 Queen Street Melbourne 3000 Victoria Australia
About this Document
Project Number SV002492Project Name Extension Activity Support System (EASY) Demonstrator Use Cases Document File Name SV002492EASYUseCases v3.doc
Project Client DPI Victoria and Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information (CRC –SI) Date of Issue 03/03/2010
Version Number 1.0
Document Type Use Case Specification Document Status Final
Contact Person Lindsay Smith
Telephone (03) 9691 3012
Email [email protected]
Revision History
Version
No. Date Author Status Revision Notes
0.1 22/12/2009 Lindsay Smith Draft na
1.0 03/03/2009 Lindsay Smith Final Comments received from project control board
Authorisation
Author Date Signature
Prepared by Lindsay Smith 03/03/2010 NA
Reviewed by NA
Approved by (insert image)
Disclaimer
It is Spatial Vision’s understanding that this report provided to the client is to be used for the purpose agreed between the parties. This purpose was a significant factor in determining the scope and level of the Services being offered to the Client. Should the purpose for which the report is to be used change, the report may no longer be valid or appropriate and any further use of or reliance upon the report in those circumstances by the Client without Spatial Vision's review and advice shall be at the Client's own or sole risk.
Extension Activity Support System (EASY)
Demonstrator Use Cases
1. Introduction
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI), the Cooperative Research Centre for Spatial Information (CRC-SI) and Spatial Vision have partnered to develop a specification and demonstrator for a web application that will deliver information, primarily spatial and associated tools for use in agricultural extension programs. The project is called the Extension Activity Support sYstem (EASY).
The demonstrator will be a mocked up version of four selected user interfaces and application functionality. Although the demonstrator will be accessible online and interactive, it is not intended to deliver a functional web application. At the completion of development of the demonstrator an evaluation period of 12 months will allow users to view the demonstrator and provide feedback. This evaluation information will be used to guide the future design and development of a fully functional application.
This document builds upon the high level specification that Spatial Vision prepared in December 2009. Section 2 of this document describes four potential use cases that could be implemented in the demonstrator. Depending on project timing, budget and
stakeholder feedback on at least three of these use cases will be selected for implementation.
The next tasks to be completed are development of demonstrator, deployment and an evaluation period that includes some more consultation workshops to present the demonstrator and gather stakeholder feedback about the demonstrator. The list below summarises the project stages.
1. User requirements workshops
2. Vision statement and high level specification 3. Use case specification (this document) 4. Demonstrator development
5. Demonstrator deployment, user workshops and evaluation /feedback
1.1 Demonstrator overview
For each use case the demonstrator will show a series of user interfaces, functions and outputs. The demonstrator will guide users through the use case, explaining how the use case fits within the larger context of the EASY system and links to other functionality proposed for the system.
The demonstrator will include textual descriptions of functions and mocked up user interfaces. The textual descriptions will explain the context and the intent of the functions and how the user would use the EASY system to obtain or contribute agricultural
1.2 Technology
Spatial Vision will develop the demonstrator in Adobe Flash and provide a web page where stakeholders can view the file (swf file). Flash provides a highly interactive, rich user experience and will provide all of the required multi media tools required to demonstrate the potential of the proposed EASY system.
A free downloadable plug-in that enables the viewing of flash files is available for all major web browsers. The demonstrator will also be available as a standalone file for offline distribution for users that do not have access to the internet.
2. Use Cases Overview
Four use cases are described below. They vary in scope from simple map viewing to more complex examples where executable models, temporal datasets and reporting tools will be used as part of a broader extension program. At least three of these use cases will be selected for implementation in the demonstrator.
2.1.1 Base map viewing and property definition
The base map viewing use case is intended to demonstrate how EASY will provide landholders with data and tools to visualisation system for viewing and querying basic spatial information for their property and its surrounds. The aim of the use case is to demonstrate the core function of EASY as a modern web mapping solution for rural land management. The use case will demonstrate how the system will provide access to government published spatial datasets including aerial photography and topography in an easy to use, highly interactive online setting. Tools for landholders to do basic queries of area, length and point-based attributes of the basic spatial layers are also included. 2.1.2 Create a topic package
One of the key requirements to emerge from the series of workshops conducted for the EASY project was that the proposed system should enable datasets and related textual information to be linked or packaged , so that it was fit for purpose for specific extension related activities. In the EASY system a ‘topic package’ is a set of datasets and related textual and graphic information that has been built for use in a specific extension related activity.
The primary goal of the ‘create topic package’ use case is to demonstrate how EASY will be a system that enables information to be packaged together so that it is fit for use in extension activities. The use case explains how spatial datasets and web content can be grouped together, how users and groups will access these packages and how the packages will be viewed in the main map viewing screen of the EASY application. A topic package will include all of the source spatial datasets, supporting web content and step by step instructions required for the delivery of a specific extension task or program to landholders.
2.1.3 Use a topic package
The ‘Use a topic package’ use case will demonstrate how a specific example of an extension activity – whole farm planning – could be supported by EASY. The use case will demonstrate how a group of spatial datasets, supporting web content pages, step by step instructions and custom locally captured data could be integrated within a topic package to support a standard workflow for Whole Farm Planning.
The example will provide all of the base spatial and other information used in creating a whole farm plan, instructions for how to use and interpret spatial datasets and modelled outputs in the whole farm planning process. The use case will also demonstrate tools for landholders and extension officers to input their own local observation and monitoring
information and it will include a reporting tool for landholders that demonstrates how a landholder might use EASY to generate the final whole farm plan document.
2.1.4 View and analyse temporal datasets
The temporal visualisation use case will demonstrate how a series of remotely sensed images that describe a change in resource condition over time could be added to EASY as a topic package and viewed by users. The data being visualised will be a dataset such as vegetation productivity change over time or fine grained harvest yield data. The use case will include a reporting tool where part of the image can be selected and the change in resource condition for the selected area is reported upon as a chart and table. Other tools to visualise change such as a swipe tool and animation tools would also help users to analyse change.
3. Detailed Use Case Specification
3.1 Use Case 1: View base map and property definition
UC01.1 - Front Page
and Login Screen
(See section 3.1.1)
UC01.2.1 - Create
Property function
(See section 3.1.3)
UC01.2.2 - Enter and
Zoom to address function (See section 3.1.4) UC01.2.3 - Layer Configuration and Redraw function (See section 3.1.5) UC01.2.4 - Measure
distance and area function
(See section 3.1.6)
UC01.2.5 - Print
function
(See section 3.1.7) UC01.2 - Main View
Screen
(See section 3.1.2)
3.1.1 Front Page and Login Screen
The front page provides users with general information about the system including how to register and a login screen to authenticate a user’s account and provide access to EASY.
3.1.2 Main View Screen
After authentication, the system opens the main map view screen. The screen contains: 1. A main map view,
2. A left panel showing the topic packages and spatial datasets, 3. A toolbar at the top of the screen,
4. A right information panel to show extra topic package related content.
The screen allows users to view, query and edit spatial datasets, access base and topic packages and define and view their property. Both the layer list and checklist panels can be minimised by the user.
The interface will provide standard mapping tools such as zoom, pan, ruler and query info. Users may apply a satellite or map view against their property.
Main View Layer List Base Package - Roads - Water Courses - Property My Property - Boundary Package 1 - Dataset 1 - Dataset 2 - Dataset 3 - Dataset 4 - Dataset 5 Package 2 - Dataset 1 - Dataset 2 - Dataset 3 - Dataset 4 - Dataset 5 Package 3 - Dataset 1 - Dataset 2 - Dataset 3 - Dataset 4 - Dataset 5 Getting Started/ Checklist Satellite Map Package 4 - Dataset 1 - Dataset 2 - Dataset 3 File
Figure 1. Main View Screen 3.1.3 Create property function
Landholders define and create their property boundary. User selects the My Property dataset. User selects the sketch polygon tool. User draws a polygon by single clicking using the underlying cadastre dataset as a guide. User double clicks to end drawing a polygon. System opens a property attributes screen. User enters property title, address, description. User clicks save. System saves property sketch. System closes
the attributes form. Normal users will only be able to see their own property sketch layer.
3.1.4 Enter and zoom to address function
To locate their property within the map view, the Landholder may enter their address then zoom to that address. User clicks zoom to address function. System opens Enter address dialog. User enters address and clicks search. System prompts user to select from a list of found addresses. User selects a single address. System zooms to the selected address. User turns on and off base package layers to visualise the spatial datasets. The demonstrator will show a set of spatial datasets that will be available to all users including aerial photography, cadastre, roads, water bodies and relief. 3.1.5 Layer configuration and redraw function
Landholders may disable and enable layers, and redraw the map. User turns on a layer in the left panel. System redraws the main map graphics window with the turned on layer.
3.1.6 Measure distance and area function
Landholders may measure distances using the ruler and polygon sketch tools. User clicks measure area tool. User clicks on map view to draw polygon. User double clicks to finish drawing the polygon. System opens a dialog window showing the area of the clicked polygon.
3.1.7 Print function
The map view screw provides Landholders the ability to print a map showing their property and surroundings. User turns on required layers. User zooms to extent to be printed. User clicks print map function. System prompts user with a preview of the map, including a dialog to enter map title, legend, scale bar details. System prompts user to select printer details including page size. User clicks OK. System prints hardcopy version of the map.
3.2 Use Case 2: Create a topic package
The create topic package use case describes how a program manager will create a new topic package for use in an extension delivery task.
Use Case 2: Create topic package 3.2.1 Front Page and Login Screen
The front page provides users with general information about the system including how to register and a login screen to authenticate a user’s account and provide access to EASY.
Use case steps
1. System opens the login screen
2. User enters a user name and password with access to the program manager /topic author role.
3. System opens the main map view window. 3.2.2 Packages Screen
On selection of the ‘Manage Packages’ menu option, a Program Manager may view all available topic packages. The application will display all packages to the user, but only allow those created by the user to be editable.
A Program Manager may edit an existing package; including its name, description, spatial datasets, web content, spatial extent, executable models.
New packages may also be added.
Within this screen a Program Manager may configure the user roles and groups that are permitted access to the topic package.
Use case steps
1. User clicks file menu on main map screen
2. System displays file menu including manage packages function 3. User clicks manage packages function.
4. System displays the manage package screen.
Available Topic Packages:
Whole Farm Planning Climate Change Adaptation Soil Health Management Planning Salinity Management and Planning
Name: Whole Farm Planning Description: Provides assistance to
prepare a whole farm plan.
Created Date: 12/01/2009 Spatial Extent:
Set Spatial Extent
Spatial Datasets:
veg_polies.shp veg_v123.wms Vegetable_2010 Add Spatial Data
Models:
Rainman
Web Content:
View Web Content
Primary Monitoring Datasets:
Create Primary Monitoring Dataset
Create New Package Configure Access Delete Package
3.2.3 View and add web content function
Use Case 2.4.1: View and add web content
As part of the management of a topic package a Program Manager may edit or add web content from manage topic package screen. Selecting the view web content option will open a new web page and display the current content, and options to configure
additional web content. Use case steps
1. Starting at the manage package screen program manager clicks the view web content button
2. System opens a new window showing package home page 3. User adds title to page
4. User clicks add child pages
5. System adds a child page to the main page 6. User clicks add URL link button
7. System opens a dialog to enter URL link 8. System displays the active link on the page 9. User clicks attach document button
10. System prompts user with a browse to file dialog 11. User selects file
3.2.4 Locate and set spatial extent
From the manage topics screen users will be able to define a spatial extent for the topic package.
Use case steps
1. A Program Manager sets a spatial extent for package. User clicks set extent
2. System opens a dialog with the min x, min y, max x and max y coordinates of the package.
3. User enters coordinates and clicks OK 4. System closes the dialog
3.2.5 Define primary monitoring datasets
The manage package screen provides users with a function to define a custom primary monitoring datasets to capture information from Landholders. The creation of a custom dataset will be presented as a new web page that allows users to define fields, data types and attributes.
Use case steps
1. User clicks define custom spatial datasets 2. System opens the create dataset dialog
3. User enters dataset name, purpose, description, extent, spatial type (point, line or polygon), symbology, attribute field names, and data types and clicks OK 4. System creates a new custom spatial dataset within the current topic package. 3.2.6 View and add spatial datasets
Use Case 2.4.4: View and add spatial datasets
the user to add the spatial datasets. Users may select WMS data, government published library datasets or upload a local shapefile.
Use case steps
1. User clicks add spatial dataset function
2. System opens the select spatial data type screen 3. User selects add shapefile option
4. System displays the filename input box, browse and upload buttons. 5. User browses to the selected shapefile
6. System populates the filename box 7. User clicks the upload button
8. System adds the shapefile to the package datasets list.
Figure 3. Example screen to upload shapefile and define symbology
3.2.7 Configure user role and group access
A Program Manager can associate user roles and groups with a topic package to grant selective access to the package content. Selecting the configure access option displays a new web page with a set of users to assign to the package. Display this as an
3.3 Use Case 3: Topic Package Viewing (Whole Farm Planning example)
The topic package viewing use case demonstrates how a topic package could be used to support a specific extension related activity. The example application for the use case will be whole farm planning. Specifically the topic package will contain the spatial data, background content, step by step instructions and related tools needed to create a whole farm plan.Use Case 3: View Whole Farm Planning topic package
3.3.1 Front Page and Login screen
The front page provides users with general information about the system including how to register and a login screen to authenticate a user’s account and provide access to EASY.
3.3.2 New Package alert screen
After login, the application will present the user with an alert screen containing a list of new packages. For the EASY demonstrator, the screen will contain only the Whole Farm Planning topic package. The user will be required to view the topic package content the first time they login in after they have been granted access to the topic package.
3.3.3 Whole Farm Planning web content screens
On selection of the Whole Farm Planning package, the user may view all web content relating to the package including text, images, attachments or web links.
3.3.4 Whole Farm Planning confirmation screen
After the Landholder has viewed all web content relating to Whole Farm Planning, the system will present a confirmation screen to verify that the user has read the related information before they can access the package via the Main View screen.
Use case steps
1. User enters login details 2. User clicks login button
3. System opens a screen showing a list of new topic packages 4. User clicks on the Whole Farm Planning item
5. System opens an introductory page on the Whole Farm planning, child pages that describe how to use the spatial datasets and the steps to complete to develop a whole farm.
6. User reads the content
7. User clicks the Map View button 8. System opens the main map screen,
9. System adds the Whole Farm Planning topic package datasets to the layer list. The layers added are – broad soil types, elevation/slope, water courses,
vegetation cover, depth to ground water, other hydrological model derived spatial outputs, (which could be a grid model dataset from the NDG system). 10. System adds a previously configured custom dataset for landholders to define
their own land classes based upon interpretation of other results
11. System opens the right panel information panel and populates it with the list of steps required to develop a whole farm plan.
12. System adds a new toolbar to the map view with whole farm planning specific tools. The demonstrator includes a mocked up tool to show the final whole farm planning document.
3.3.5 Getting Started Screen
UC03.6 - Getting
Started Screen
(See section 3.3.5)
UC03.6.1 - Enable
and disable layer types function
(See section 3.3.5)
UC03.6.2 - Visualise
multiple layers with transparency function
(See section 3.3.5)
UC03.6.3 - Create
own dataset function
(See section 3.3.5)
UC03.6.4 - Create
Whole Farm Plan document function
(See section 3.3.5)
Use Case 3.6: Apply Whole Farm Planning process
Landholders may follow the Getting Started tutorial to step through the whole farm planning process and generate whole farm plan documents and maps. A Landholder may enable and disable layers, visualise them together with transparency or create their own data.
A Landholder may generate their own assessment against a custom dataset by applying new polygons and annotations such as attributes, soil, colour, depth, texture or
description.
On completion of the planning process a user can generate a document representing the whole farm plan. The document includes maps of existing conditions, identification of opportunities for change and planned future activities.
Main View Layer List Base Package - Roads - Water Courses - Property My Property - Boundary
Whole Farm Planning
- Soil - Vegetation - Water Courses - Hill Shade - Elevations - My Soil Assessment - Custom Dataset Package 2 - Dataset 1 - Dataset 2 - Dataset 3 - Dataset 4 - Dataset 5 Package 3 - Dataset 1 - Dataset 2 - Dataset 3 - Dataset 4 - Dataset 5
Getting Started with Whole Farm Planning 1. View the existing broad scale soil datasets 2. Look up detailed descriptions of the soil types 3. View a hill shade, elevation, slope dataset 4. View a hydrological model output 5. define polygons of different land classes and define actions 6. Plan and schedule activities and prepare a budget for the whole farm plan 7. Generate a whole farm plan document Satellite Map Package 4 - Dataset 1 - Dataset 2 - Dataset 3 File
Figure 5. Main View screen with Getting Started panel
Example whole farm planning steps in Getting Started panel
1. View the existing broad scale soil datasets to get an understanding of the possible soil types on your property.
2. Look up detailed descriptions of the soil types in your region as published on the government agriculture website eg VRO for Victoria) Links provided in EASY.
3. View a hillshade, elevation, slope dataset to gain an understanding of your property's relief. View the content that explains the implications of different slope classes on land management issues being addressed by the whole farm plan.
4. View a hydrological model output that shows local water movement within the farm. View content that explains the implications of water movement and use for the whole farm plan.
5. Based on viewing the aerial photography, soil datasets, soil water content and relief define polygons of different land classes and define actions and management for each land class.
6. Plan and schedule activities and prepare a budget for the whole farm plan. 7. Generate a whole farm plan document. Contains a map of defined land classes, planned activities, budget and schedule
3.4 Use Case 4: View temporal datasets and reporting
The view and analyse temporal datasets use case is designed to demonstrate functionality where a user can visualise and report on change in land resource condition over time as shown in a series of remotely sensed images.
Use Case 4: View temporal datasets and reporting
3.4.1 Front Page and Login screen
The front page provides users with general information about the system including how to register and a login screen to authenticate a user’s account and provide access to EASY.
3.4.2 Main View screen
Landholders who select a topic package containing a temporal series dataset are presented with an additional toolbar containing options to view and analyse a temporal series of remotely sensed images. The demonstrator will show a swipe tool and polygon query tool where a user can draw a polygon on the dataset and view a report containing a chart and table that summarises how the area within polygon changed over the time period of the series.
Figure 6. Main View screen with advanced toolbar
3.4.3 Remotely Sensed Layer function
A series of remotely sensed images are added to the map as a group and displayed as a single layer in the package / layer view in the left panel of the main map screen.
Upon selecting the remotely sensed layer the system provides users with a custom toolbar containing the swipe tool and the polygon report tool.
3.4.4 Swipe function
The Swipe tool allows user to select two child images of the temporal series which were captured at different dates and drag a line across the screen to visualise the change between the two different time instances. On one side of the swipe line the older image is shown, on the other side the more recent image is shown.
3.4.5 Generate polygon query report function
Landholders use the select image part and report change tool to select an area on the remotely sensed series and generate a report to summarise how the resource
condition shown on the series changes over time. The tool then shows a report containing charts and tables that summarise the resource condition change. 1. User selects the query image portion tool
2. User draws a polygon on the image
4. System displays a new screen showing a report containing a time series chart and table that summarises the resource condition for each image included in the temporal series.
