the Stages

Selected features

User story: 

The interior design made by the architect should be passed on to the electrical designer so that he knows how to plan the lighting and electrical sockets. This design also goes to the contractors, who need to know where to make room for it. The design attached to the Project can be viewed anywhere and anytime on a smartphone.

Problems

• UI and UX 

Users are people connected with construction. Each team may wish to provide a different type of resource. 

The Design Question is: What kind of attachments users will want to collect?   

• Technical Issue

Users work at their desks and outdoors. They may not have access to advanced tools.
The Design Question is: How to collect attachments?

• Business related

I had to design on the existing solution and make the best use of already existing projects.

Discovery process

I began by analyzing user behavior and identifying the types of elements they may want to save. I documented my assumptions and conclusions, consulting with my supervisor on-site. Based on this analysis, I determined that users should be able to attach photos, videos, voice recordings, and files, with attachment functionality accessible on both smartphones and desktop computers.

Solution

We’re expanding the Notes feature by adding attachments. To make it easier for users to find files, we've organized attachments into categories. Users can now also pin attached files directly onto the 3D scan using the Notes feature.

Timeline goal

Documenting changes in the construction process, breaking down into stages, going back to previous stages, comparing changes in construction process. 

User Story: 

Once the wiring in the building has been completed by the electrical team, it is time to plaster the walls. One layer is covered by another. Up to now, the only documentation has been technical drawings, which, as we know from experience, do not always reflect reality perfectly. 

> At this point, if we want to drill holes and someone does not read the documentation, they could make a mistake and damage the cables running under the plaster. 

> By walking through the 3D scans, we can see every centimetre where the electrical team placed the cables.

Problems

• Complicated process

The process of adding and arranging the scans on the timeline was very technical and complicated for the users. 

The Design Question is: How to humanise the technical aspects?   

• Technical challenges

I had to stick to the existing structure and could only propose changes at UI level, by prioritising the most relevant elements.

Discovery process

I wrote down all the technical information and assumptions. I tried to learn the process of adding the scan to the timeline step by step. I consulted the unknowns with the technical department and developers. I start mapping, listed all paint points, potential gaps in user journey and area for improvements. I design in Adobe XD High-fidelity mock-ups of user flow, covering of feature, scenarios, and complex edge cases.  

During the analysis, I discovered that the user identifies the scans by naming them (e.g. electrical, plastering, wall painting). The previous flow assumed that identification was by date. However, for the user, the date is not so important. 

Design solution

I focused on creating an understandable and simple flow of adding stage's. I moved the whole flow of adding Stages to the modal. I prtioritised the informations. The most essential part of creating a stage was naming it and choosing a date, other elements were additional and came from the need of the investors (location, notes). I set the most important part at the very top. The entire process is completed with the ‘create’ button. We achieved a clear flow and consistent with the rest of the product.

Compare view goal

Comparing one place from two stages in one preview.

Problems

• UX

The current solution (timeline) was not sufficient for users. The timeline collects scans and we can jump between stages, but we can't view a place from different times in one view. 

Discovery process

I analysed the user needs and storymap. Collaborating with the product owner, team lead and developers, we chose the right location and the flow for the feature. I design in Adobe XD High-fidelity mock-ups of user flow, covering of feature, scenarios, and complex edge cases. I carried out a brainstorming session for UX writing to choose the best name for the feature. 

Solution

The Commpare View function is available in the 3D walk view, a place related to this function, easy to locate. The stage we were on appears as the default and user can selects a stage for comparison. Other functions are disabled in this area, so they are not distracting. Both stages are synchronised and, by moving on one, we see movement on both. The user can change the stages at any time, so it can easily compare changes.