CEC • Quality Control Management System
Built an app from 0 to 1 – A system to help construction workers document sites more easily
Role
Product Designer
Team
2 Designers, 2 Developers, 1 PM
Timeline
5 months
The construction industry has long struggled with the adoption of new technologies and digital tools. Throughout this project, my focus was on creating an intuitive system that construction workers could easily adopt, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition from traditional methods to the digital solution I built.
Outcome
52%
of Inspection forms are now
filled out and submit via the app
2 hrs
Form completion time has decreased
2 weeks to within 2 hours
Problem
Quality Control (QC) is mandatory in construction project. Throughout the QC process, inspection forms are required at each QC stage and are checked and filled out by subcontractors.
" Inspection Form contains errors and Review paper inspection form is time-consuming "
Timeline
Introduction of CEC
a construction company that manages the planning, design, and execution of building projects, including infrastructure, transportation, and large public works.
Final Designs
and Solutions
Over five months, I drafted multiple design strategies and crafted various wireframes, and discussed them with quality control department to do rapid test and meet user needs.
Onsite - document and inspection right away
Document Inspection detail and attach photos once users finished their work tasks.
Digital Signature - Sign when click approved
Users no longer need to print documents or wait for a supervisor’s approval, and they don’t have to wonder how long the process will take.
Office - complete forms after working on site
Edit inspection forms online if subcontractors can't fill it on site
User Research
and Findings
To better understand the construction industry work environment and user workflows, my team and I conducted 10 user interviews and made 2 site visits to observe users.
All the data is stored in individual files and saved locally
Construction workers can't fill out the form on-site, so they end up taking quick notes on scraps of paper or on their phones.
Involve multiple stakeholders within a single inspection form
Once workers complete the inspection, various stakeholders need to review the material and provide approval.
Work environment is humid and messy, and sometimes there is no internet connection.
They can't bring paper inspection forms to the site due to the harsh environment.
there’s no system to track where the form is or how far along it is in the process. This makes it hard to manage and speed up the paperwork.
Design Exploration
Over five months, I drafted multiple design strategies and crafted various wireframes, and discussed them with quality control department to do rapid test and meet user needs.
Design Challenge
Design Flexible Inspection Completion Options
Workers are unable to complete the inspection forms onsite when there is no internet or they are working on more hazardous construction tasks
Lo-fi and sketches
During the communication, I also conducted quick sketches and wireframes to discuss with the customer service team how I would design and what my assumptions were.
Final Designs
and Solutions
Over five months, I drafted multiple design strategies and crafted various wireframes, and discussed them with quality control department to do rapid test and meet user needs.
Step 1 - Form Management
Complete certain inspection forms based on their assigned work tasks
Step 2 - In progress
Categorize the different stages to understand the overall work quality
Step 3 - Inspection List
Fill out forms and check the status of each item
Step 4 - Detail Editing
Attach photos and type in details to decide pass or fail
Prototype
Streamline workflow for subcontractors
Prototype
Digital Signature to review on phone as well
Step 1 - Offline
Switch to offline mode to download forms to local
Step 2 - Type in text only
Pop up notification when users attempt to upload photos
Step 3 - Switch to online
Automatically display a popup and switch to online mode when an internet connection is detected
Prototype
Offline mode
Office - complete forms after working on site
Edit inspection forms online if subcontractors can't fill it on site