The project was done as a class assignment and was sponsored by ABB.
Overview
ABB’s power plant cybersecurity software was outdated. I was brought on board along with a team of Purdue undergraduates to create a multi-modal design for a revised and enhanced user interface.
Timeline & Status
2 semesters - 4 months, Launched April 2019
My role
UX Researcher & Designer - Lead Interviewer, Workshop Leader, Visual Designer
Team
1 Project Owner
2 Team Leads
6 UX Designers / Researchers - Me Included!
Discovery Phase -
Discovery?
To prioritize and organize improvement ideas, I evaluated ABB’s current app and performed a heuristic evaluation based on Nielsen Norman’s heuristics model. I rated factors such as visibility of systems status, consistency & standards, etc. Overall, the existing app was rated a 2 out of 5.
Content Organization
Next, I needed to gain a better understanding of the required content. I conducted several stakeholder content meetings, eventually creating a site map for the existing app layout, utilizing lines to relate pages and subpages, and calling out screen relationships and connections.
Research - Exploring Best Practices and Expert Insights
Analogous Research
With the current app layout clearly understood, I dove next into research mode to find best practices for multi-modal app layout. I was looking for models to use as templates. I ended up evaluating 8 different apps that seamlessly transitioned between a computer screen, a phone, and a tablet, including but not limited to Google Drive, Slack, and Discord. As part of my evaluation, I annotated screenshots from each calling out key features and design details. Some of the questions I explored were:
“What is the overall user flow between site and app?”
Primary Research
Next, I started my primary research with cybersecurity Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). I had limited access to SMEs that worked for ABB. Therefore, I interviewed several SMEs outside of the company to see what cybersecurity content they felt needed to be prioritized. Ideally, these interviews would have happened earlier and with a larger audience, but due to limited security clearances I did the best I could.
Annotated Articles
Since I had suboptimal access to SMEs, I ramped up efforts to learn about cybersecurity on my own. I annotated multiple industry articles, with the goal of increasing my ability to independently prioritize app content and design.
Design Solutions – From Concept to Delivery
Final Design Iterations
After several rounds of sketching and iterating with stakeholder feedback, a final design was reached. As mentioned earlier, due to time constraints (a 2-semester time limit) and limited SME access, I produced medium rather than high-fidelity designs. There were two designs delivered in the end.
Design #1: MVP Design
The MVP design uplifted ABB's current application without requiring a complete graphical overhaul. In this iteration, I effectively addressed notable usability concerns, drawing upon heuristic principles and valuable feedback.
Design #2: Future Enhancements
I also delivered, for a future ABB’s app enhancement, a more comprehensive redesign proposal. It included overhauling the complete navigational system, new user onboarding designs, and redesigned project organizational structures.
Lessons Learned - How can we improve? What can we learn for next time?
Reflections and Future Improvements
As Purdue undergraduates, we achieved a lot with this project, but there's room for improvement. With more time and resources, I could have accomplished more. In the future, I'd prioritize interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) over relying heavily on secondary research. Engaging industry experts earlier would provide valuable feedback, allowing for better design and polished projects.
