Trainer-critical features (e.g., performance monitoring, student recordkeeping, etc.) for maintenance training simulators (MTSs) are typically derived during the front-end analysis phase of the acquisition process. The critical features (i.e., functional capabilities) are then designed into the MTS instructor station (IS) or student station (SS) by incorporating these requirements in the procurement specification. Although many of these features are common to most MTSs, a lack of standardization in their implementation has led to vastly different operating formats despite the same instructional intent. This paper discusses the procedures and the results of a research effort to develop a tool for acquisition personnel and design engineers to ensure the standardization of critical IS and SS features during the design of the MTS. The procedures used during this research effort included (1) developing a classification scheme for categorizing the various types of MTSs, (2) developing a MTS attribute taxonomy to identify and categorize MTS features, (3) performing a commonality analysis to assess the degree of functional similarity of features across and within MTS categories, and (4) conducting a survey of instructors to determine users' perceptions of the effectiveness of the various features. The results of the survey indicated that instructors gave high (perceived effectiveness) ratings to 13 of the 17 features assessed. These results were relatively consistent across the different types of MTSs indicating that the features were a function of instructional requirements rather than peculiar to specific MTS types. The findings were then used to derive a set of design guidelines for developing maintenance training simulator instructor and student stations.