Project Overview
Challenge
The ePod app is a proof-of-delivery platform used by Univar Solutions' field teams to ensure accurate delivery documentation with additional relevant functionalities like route tracking and reporting. Although functional, the original app faced significant usability issues, resulting in inefficiencies and user frustration. My goal was to redesign the app to improve user experience, streamline workflows, and align with Univar Solutions' strategic objectives. Additionally, a Spanish version of the app was created to support the Mexican team, addressing regional needs and language preferences.
Problem Statement
The original ePod app had several critical usability challenges, which impacted user efficiency, increased training time, and led to frequent errors:
Cluttered Interface: Key features were buried under multiple layers of navigation, leading to confusion.
Inefficient Workflow: Users had to manually switch between screens to perform basic tasks.
Poor Accessibility: The app lacked compliance with accessibility standards, creating barriers for diverse users.
Limited Scalability: The design could not accommodate future feature additions without significant restructuring.
CATEGORY
App Redesign
End to End
MY ROLE
Lead UX Designer
UX Researcher
TOOLS
Photoshop
Figma
Miro
The Original ePod App
The original ePod app had several critical usability challenges, which impacted user efficiency, increased training time, lack of inclusive design and led to frequent errors.
Research and Discovery
Stakeholder Interviews: Conducted discussions with field staff, logistics managers, and IT teams to understand pain points and business requirements.
Key Insight: Drivers often used the app in high-stress environments, requiring quick and intuitive interactions.
Competitive Analysis: Analyzed similar tools in the logistics sector to identify best practices.
Finding: Simplified workflows and clear visual hierarchy were common among top-performing apps.
Usability Testing: Assessed the original app’s performance with a sample group of users.
Result: Users struggled with task completion, with an average time-to-completion exceeding acceptable benchmarks.
Design Process and Goals
Information Architecture: Simplified the app’s navigation by grouping related features under intuitive categories. Created a sitemap to visualize the new structure and validate with stakeholders.
Wireframing: Developed low-fidelity wireframes to iterate on layout and functionality. Conducted A/B testing to determine the most effective layouts for key screens.
High-Fidelity Prototypes: Designed prototypes with a focus on clean, modern aesthetics and consistent branding. Included features like exceptions, real-time updates, and a streamlined route page.
Usability Testing: Tested the redesigned prototype with end users. Metrics improved significantly: Task completion rates increased by 80%, and average task time decreased by 50%.
◇ Create an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
◇ Reduce the number of steps required to complete critical tasks.
◇ Enhance performance and load times.
◇ Ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 accessibility guidelines.
◇ Design for scalability to accommodate future updates.
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Sketching and Wireframing Process
Sketching and wireframing was integral to the ePod app redesign, serving as the foundation for exploring and refining key design ideas. Initial sketches focused on streamlining complex workflows and visually prioritizing critical delivery information. These sketches quickly evolved into low-fidelity wireframes, allowing for rapid iteration and feedback from stakeholders.
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◇ Proof-of-Delivery Focus: Centralized all delivery documentation features into an intuitive workflow.
◇ Route Page: Displays real-time delivery status, pending tasks, and route information.
◇ Optimized Workflow: Combines related tasks into a single screen, reducing navigation time.
◇ Accessibility Enhancements: Added larger touch targets, and high-contrast themes.
◇ Spanish Version: Developed a localized version of the app for the Mexican team, ensuring a seamless experience for Spanish-speaking users.
Localized Spanish Interface for the App
To meet the specific needs of the Mexican team, we developed a robust, fully localized Spanish version of the ePod app. However, the Spanish version focused on a few key workflows essential to the team's operations and did not include the full functionality available in the English version.
Leveraging insights from Spanish-speaking stakeholders, we conducted testing to validate usability, ensuring the app not only met but exceeded expectations for intuitiveness and relevance. The localized design significantly boosted adoption rates and operational efficiency within the Mexican team, highlighting the strategic value of tailoring global applications to regional contexts.
Consistency, Brand Equity, and Accessibility
Designing the ePod app required adherence to Univar’s established design guidelines to maintain consistency and reinforce brand equity. This approach ensured that the app aligned with Univar’s visual and functional identity, providing a cohesive user experience across all digital platforms. At the same time, significant changes were made to comply with strict WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards, including features like high-contrast themes and larger touch targets. Balancing brand consistency with accessibility enhancements underscored the importance of inclusivity while preserving the trust and recognition associated with the Univar brand.
Documentation and Handoff
Thorough documentation played a pivotal role throughout the design and development process of the ePod app. By creating detailed design specifications, flow diagrams, and annotated wireframes, we ensured that every stakeholder and developer had a clear understanding of the app's functionality and design rationale.
This meticulous documentation streamlined collaboration between design and development teams, minimized miscommunication, and ensured a smoother handoff. Developers were able to implement features with accuracy, significantly reducing iteration cycles and speeding up the delivery timeline. The emphasis on documentation not only preserved design integrity but also facilitated future updates and scalability.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
As the sole designer on the ePod app redesign, the project presented unique challenges that required strategic prioritization and adaptability. One of the primary obstacles was managing a tight timeline while balancing multiple responsibilities, from user research to high-fidelity prototyping. With limited resources, I had to focus on delivering core functionalities and ensure that the most critical workflows were prioritized for both the English and Spanish versions of the app. Effective communication with stakeholders and the development team was vital to aligning expectations and maintaining progress.
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This project reinforced the importance of user-centered design and iterative testing. By involving stakeholders and end users throughout the process, I was able to create a solution that met both business objectives and user needs. The ePod app redesign not only improved operational efficiency but also demonstrated the value of investing in UX to drive business outcomes. Special thanks to the Univar Solutions team for their collaboration and support throughout the project.
Next Steps
Monitoring user feedback will remain a priority to identify potential improvements and address emerging pain points. Collaborating closely with the IT team, we aim to explore advanced functionalities such as predictive analytics and AI-driven route optimization, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making. The app will also undergo continuous refinement to align with technological advancements and shifting business requirements. For the Spanish version, we plan to expand beyond its current scope by incorporating additional workflows and ensuring deeper integration with regional processes, cultural nuances, and language-specific needs. This ongoing commitment will solidify the app’s role as a valuable tool across Univar’s global teams.
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