Your question implies that improving the UI could harm the seriousness of the software. As if a UI is just about making things look more prettier, fancier, while in fact it should exactly do what you're referring to: keep focused on the serious task at hand, by preventing unclarity and mistakes.

It's a bit difficult to discuss this topic at length, but I'd like to point out NNG's article on some very old (but hardly outdated) official guidelines for designing and developing software for the American army.


Oorspronkelijk geplaatst op Quora: What are some ways to improve military software user interface and design without detracting from the gravity of the purpose of the software?"