Pure Connect

Tablet-optimized, pipeline inspection application for tool configuration, field operation tracking, and automatic data analysis.

Early UI flow for Done app.

Pure Connect

Tablet-optimized, pipeline inspection application for tool configuration, field operation tracking, and automatic data analysis.

The Challenge

For Field Operators who manage pipeline inspections, the existing process requires in-depth knowledge of multiple tools and software, resulting in more focus on manual process and less focus on quality.

Initial User Stories

An interview is conducted with a Field Operator who describes his current day to day activities, the current pipeline inspection process, and specific and general pain points that hinder productivity or quality control. From this interview, a collection of high level user stories is identified:

As a field operator, I want to set up a pipeline inspection project so that I can select which tools will be tracked and define the route that the tools will travel.
As a field operator, I want to install and configure tracking units along the inspection path in preparation for inspection.
As a field operator, I want to track the tool during inspection to make sure that it is traveling within given parameters and in synch with my client's pipeline flow.
As a field operator, I want to upload tracking data to existing analysis software to help determine tool position at defect locations.

Initial Concept

Based on initial user stories, an initial UI concept was created to promote momentum for the project amongst key stakeholders.

Early concept for Pure Connect tool tracking screen.

User Journey Prototype

Following the positive reception to the initial concept, an interactive prototype was created to illustrate a field inspection user workflow. During an on-site product workshop, this prototype was presented to users, developers, and leadership stakeholders to facilitate discussion and validate current technical assumptions. During the workshop, the team was able to reference the prototype to narrow scope and agree on an initial product direction and MVP.

Craft | InVision Inspection Flow Prototype for Pure Connect.

Agile Product Design

Working closely with the Pure Connect development team, iterative concepts and designs were created that could be rapidly developed into working proof of concepts to attain relevant and direct user feedback. We discovered that although a summary of inspection data was important to field operators, they were much more excited about being able to visualize raw tracking data while in the field. With this feedback in mind, a more dedicated UI was created for raw tracking data screens.

Wireframe POC for Pure Connect V-Graph live tracking data visualization.

Wireframe POC for Pure Connect PIG tracking raw data screen.

Learnings

Identifying the inherent pain points of an existing manual process and understanding the practical needs of the user in the field is critical to delivering a product that provides maximum benefit.
Interactive prototyping yields immediate big picture feedback from stakeholders; a functional proof of concept (in code with real data) allows the user to field-test and validate design assumptions.
User-centered design can work within an agile methodology, but communication is key. Working as closely as possible with users and developers helps to ensure that a product is conceived and delivered in an iterative fashion that satisfies all stakeholders.

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