Land Special Operations (Land SOF) Discovery – Quicksilver Phase 2

Situation

The United Kingdom’s Land Special Operations Forces (Land SOF) required a deployable Staff Working Environment (SWE) and Communication Information Systems (CIS) capability to enhance their command and control effectiveness in highly mobile, operationally demanding scenarios.

Recognising the complexity of this challenge, CDW, 2iC, and MilUX formed a strategic partnership. MilUX was the lead in conducting the Discovery phase, ensuring the developed solution was rooted in real-world user needs and operational requirements.

Context

The effectiveness of Land SOF relies on rapid decision-making and robust, secure communication systems. Existing setups were often fragmented and not optimised for the agile and unpredictable nature of Land Special Operations. This led to a structured Discovery process, with MilUX leading the user research and requirements analysis to inform the design and implementation efforts carried out by CDW and 2iC.

By embedding researchers within the Ranger units, MilUX ensured that the insights gathered were directly applicable to shaping a solution that met the demands of Land SOF users.

The primary research objective of the Discovery phase was to establish a validated understanding of the users’ workflows, technology requirements, and operational constraints. Special focus was on identifying pain points, ensuring interoperability across different units, and creating a robust baseline for technology deployment. Without this rigorous pre-development phase, the risk of misalignment between operational needs and technical delivery would have been significantly higher.

Activity

MilUX deployed a comprehensive research strategy focusing on:

User Engagement and Research:

• Conducted extensive stakeholder mapping, interviews, and contextual inquiries with Land SOF operators.
• Led iterative design through workshops and focus groups to capture workflows, information exchange pathways, and pain points in existing systems.
• Shadowed users in realistic operational conditions to understand challenges in their environment.

Process Mapping and Data Analysis:

• Created detailed process maps outlining how communication and decision-making flowed through the SWE.
• Developed user journey maps that illustrated gaps and inefficiencies in current systems.
• Collated qualitative and quantitative data to validate hypotheses on workflow efficiency.

Prototype Testing and Iteration:

• Built a representative SWE using current equipment to simulate real-world use cases.
• Facilitated hands-on user trials, collecting qualitative and quantitative data to refine system requirements before handover to CDW and 2iC.

Result

The MilUX-led Discovery phase produced key deliverables that significantly de-risked the later development stages:

• Operational Gaps Identified: The research confirmed that LSO operators had differing expectations of a warfighting SWE, necessitating standardisation and targeted training. Understanding these inconsistencies early allowed the team to proactively design a system that accounted for multiple user types and mission profiles.
• Validated Equipment and Infrastructure Needs: A structured assessment of available resources allowed CDW to source and integrate the most suitable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions. By conducting a comparative analysis on various equipment configurations, MilUX provided CDW with clear guidance on what would be operationally viable, avoiding costly procurement mistakes.
• Optimised Information Flows: The insights provided to 2iC ensured that the digital architecture effectively supported rapid decision-making and secure communications. By mapping out how information travelled through different levels of command, potential bottlenecks and vulnerabilities were identified and addressed before implementation.
• Mitigating Risks in Deployment: One of the most significant contributions of the Discovery phase was its role in reducing project risk. Without a deep understanding of user needs, there is always a danger of misalignment between what is developed and what is actually required. Through early-stage testing and iteration, MilUX was able to eliminate unnecessary technical features, focus development efforts on high-impact areas, and ensure that the final solution met mission-critical requirements.
• Reduction in Project Costs: By identifying key requirements early, MilUX ensured that technical teams only invested in features that were essential. This approach prevented expensive course corrections later in the project timeline, leading to substantial cost savings.
• Improved Interoperability: By understanding the communication challenges that existed between different partner forces and command structures, MilUX provided insights that shaped a more interoperable solution. This resulted in a SWE that seamlessly integrated with both traditional allies (NATO, Five Eyes) and non-traditional partner forces.

Impact

By leading the Discovery phase, MilUX ensured that CDW and 2iC were equipped with robust, evidence-based requirements before they moved into the delivery phase. This user-driven approach led to a SWE that was not just a technical enhancement but a mission-critical enabler, improving Land SOF’s ability to operate effectively in complex environments.

Furthermore, the impact of this structured approach extends beyond Land SOF. The research findings provided a replicable framework for similar work within defence, ensuring that future technology investments are rooted in validated user requirements rather than assumptions.

Conclusion

The Discovery phase was a fundamental component of delivery success. By identifying risks early, refining technical requirements iteratively, and ensuring interoperability across forces, MilUX helped ensure that Land SOF received a SWE that was both operationally viable and future-proof.

This approach has set a new benchmark for how defence delivery should be initiated, shifting the paradigm from assumption-driven development to user-centred innovation.