SMART IRRIGATION
Embedded Files
This application is a smart cross-platform application that enables the government, contract companies, and subsidiaries to control, monitor, and maintain the irrigation system. This includes a complex structure from enrolling millions of farmers and farm landowners to set up a smart system that is capable to supply steady timely adequate water.
Xylem Inc. (21.3 billion) is a world leader in developing innovative water solutions through smart technology in public utility, residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial settings.
SOLUTION
Responsive website | Monitoring Mobile application
Emerging Market, Xylem Inc.
This solution has multiple major modules which are farmer registration for data entry executives to fill the required data and get acknowledgment, event management, asset management, explorer/map, schedule management, outlet Management, pump station, application configuration, settings for the Chief engineers, Administrators (xylem/customer), Project manager; Bluetooth connected mobile application for the field technicians. We have created 100+ unique screens for the web application.
Role & Responsibility
Role & Responsibility
Research, analysis, solution design, design systems, user-testing.
Team
Team
2 UX designers, 1 design intern, 1 project manager, 1 product owner, 25+ software engineers
Timeline
Timeline
June 2019 - Jan 2021
Problem background
Problem background
Water scarcity has a huge impact on food production. Agriculture which accounts for almost 70% of global water withdrawals, is constantly competing with domestic, industrial and environmental uses for a scarce water supply.
Water scarcity has a huge impact on food production. Agriculture which accounts for almost 70% of global water withdrawals, is constantly competing with domestic, industrial and environmental uses for a scarce water supply.
Here is the very broad problem statement which has be broken down in multiple later -
How might the government/ third-party/ subsidiary/ contract companies irrigate adequate water timely to the farmland because water resource is limited?
UX ResearcH
UX ResearcH
Stakeholder interview
We conducted in-depth interviews with 11 stakeholders, each lasting approximately one hour. We then transcribed and coded the interviews and clustered the highlights to draw insights.
User interview
We conducted in-depth interviews with 6 users, each lasting approximately one hour. Each participant was presented with a set of questions. We then coded the transcribed interviews and clustered the highlights to draw insights.
Affinity Diagram
Value proposition
Value proposition
Break down of the problem statement
Value proposition Canvas
Prioritised jobs, pains, and gains
This solution is used by different personas across varying roles in businesses, engineering, and the government. In addition to our direct customers, a subsidiary or third party of another company or government can fall under our user pool. We grouped the users into 6 groups for this solution.
Also, I have included 3 detailed personas here. They give us an understanding of the typical day of a user along with the tools they need to achieve their jobs. Ultimately, personas provide insights into how a solution might be designed to meet their needs.
Information obtained from:
Xylem Irrigation Value Proposition Workshop
6 User Interviews
11 Stakeholder Interviews
Feedback sessions with product team and senior leaders
Storyboard
Storyboard
We created a storyboard based on workshop output. We then tested the storyboard with both product and leadership teams. Finally, we made refinements to the board based upon feedback.
This is for a pump station with multiple pumps - one use case.
Senior leaders feedback synthesis
Product team feedback synthesis
Design Phase
Design Phase
The Map
The Map
We kept creating a user journey for each use case that holds the major functions. This is the map of the alarm function as an example.
Sketches and decisions
Sketches and decisions
Quick Initial screens
Quick Initial screens
We created multiple screens quickly and created a prototype per function to test with the users. Here the first look at the probable solutions.
A User Flow Example
Customer: Mantena
User: Administrator persona
Story 1: Mantena gave Xylem a partial project to operate and monitor irrigation water. Now Xylem built SI for the monitoring and controlling. To be a part of this smart application Mantena and the project documentation need to be uploaded in the application to give the desired result.
Story 1a: As a user, I want to upload all the related files and select the area where the water will be served.
Here is the App Configuration flow in snapshot.
User testing synthesis
User testing synthesis
We tested the prototype with users, each session lasting approximately one hour. Each participant was given a walkthrough of the prototype and asked questions. We then synthesized their responses to determine and prioritize the next steps for the prototype.
Also, we have had a detailed discussion with stakeholders to make sure business goals are aligned with solutions.
Final Outcome: Highlights
After multiple iterations of design and testing, we had the final solution. This solution is based on the backend of 2 existing software. But the user interface and experience caters to the unique need of the different user groups.
Few highlights are captured as an aspect of the experience here. It addresses the research synthesis with user scenarios and solutions to the problem.
A map filter bar with status and details
A map filter bar with status and details
SCENARIO
As an Admin from a customer or Xylem or PM or engineers needs to locate assets in the map, a site. From this view, users want to segregate different types of assets & events and monitor.
SOLUTION
A constant floating filter bamapr with different status of the filter with selection can help the user to view the assets/objects which satisfy the parameter through the filter.
Zoom locator
Zoom locator
SCENARIO
A site can be spread through different states and countries. To locate assets or subsites user (admin/PM) needs to zoom in. In a zoom-in state, figuring out the direction to the desired assets or location is a challenge.
SOLUTION
A zoom locator will appear in a zoom-in state ith percentage and the position pointer will direct where the user is currently located on the map. This will help the user to get a direction.
Multiple layered Filter dropdown
Multiple layered Filter dropdown
SCENARIO
As an Admin from a customer or Xylem needs to have a comprehensive map view that satisfies different assets within a range of different parameters or locations.
SOLUTION
A compound step filter dropdown in the map filter bar where users can put different metrics and generate assets on the map for desired view.
Alert bar for high priority events
Alert bar for high priority events
SCENARIO
During the user testing, a common problem for the users was focusing on the critical events. New events get generated very frequently. In the high number of alarms and notifications, there are priority events that require immediate attention.
" Nothing stands out. I see the alarm bar at the top. I like that. I'm assuming it is giving me set points on certain machines.
SOLUTION
A high-lighted semantic red-colored alert Bar with simple CTA "View alerts" can attract the necessary attention from the multitasking users. This bar appears only for the high prioritized events.
Group asset selection in the map
Group asset selection in the map
SCENARIO
A user group (project manager from the customer side) requires to view the multiple assets together on the map. These groups are created as a user preference and may user preference change with the time and requirement.
SOLUTION
In the Map, there is a folder icon that comes after selecting any object or group of objects with the right-hand panel. In this floating panel. One can view all the groups and create groups.
The chart to handle high-frequency data
The chart to handle high-frequency data
SCENARIO
Each of the assets generates data very frequently (8 data picks per second). User needs to view the data in different time span and different frequency level.
SOLUTION
A chart with tooltip and slider graph for higher frequency data for an approximate time frame which the tooltip points out.
OMS
OMS
SCENARIO
The admin and PM group needs to know if the water is distributed properly and per panner.
SOLUTION
Visual outlet management with a detailed right-handle panel. In the right-hand panel, there are all cycle status, description, and farmer details.
Active wiper sensor
Active wiper sensor
SCENARIO
A user group needs to know when the wiper sensor is active. While the wiper is on, users can not change or access the system.
SOLUTION
A micro-interaction wiper motion to make the user understand the current state.
Map icons
Map icons
SCENARIO
Smart Irrigation solution required a large number of devices, stations, and events icons that can fit on both map view and satellite view without issues.
SOLUTION
We created different options for each unique icon on the basis of industry usage, visibility, and accessibility. Here is an example of different icon variations of the station.
Impact
2 customers in China and Singapore have been onboarded. A subsidiary of the Government of India has approved the project for a site that involves 74,00,000 farmers spread over Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
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