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Energy Insights
Designing a collaborative dashboard to promote seamless communication among stakeholders.
Srithika (Me)
Domain Research
Ideation
Interface Design
Sampada
Samar
Santosh
12
weeks
About the company
ESN, an Indianapolis-based non-profit, develops and deploys advanced energy technologies. Its key initiative, Energy Insights, offers smart manufacturing starter kits to small and medium-sized manufacturers in Indiana.
Let's go over the project overview
So, what exactly was the problem?
How might we improve communication and collaboration among interdependent stakeholders to enhance decision-making and streamline critical processes?
How was the problem solved?
Designed a dual-interface dashboard for efficient ticketing, issue tracking, resource sharing, and faster communication between stakeholders.
Solution
1
Displaying issues along with visualization and providing resolution steps for operators to resolve the issues quickly and effectively.
2
Providing access to training modules, energy efficiency guides and resources.
Let’s get to the root of the problem
Initial Problem
Understanding the problem
Breaking down the problem
Dependency
This whole process delays the decision and frustrates both the stakeholders
Delays decisions and overall efficiency
Multiple stakeholders
1. Operators
2. Plant Manager
Communication time
The operators needs approval from the plant manager
The plant manager needs to manually check before approving the operator on floor which increases the communication itme
Initial Problem
What problem was being solved?
Resolution Time | Accessibility | User Trust
1. Reducing resolution time enables operators to address issues quickly without relying on plant managers, improving efficiency.
2. Increasing accessibility through visual cues and better navigation enhances system effectiveness.
3. Building user trust with information sources and customizable solutions promotes autonomous decision-making, reducing costs and optimizing energy efficiency processes.
Information Sources
Easy Communication
Visual Cues
Easy navigation
Initial Problem Discovery
How was the problem discovered?
Research | Stakeholder Interviews | User Interviews
1
2
Total number of interviews
3
Developer
Integrator
"At the operator level, they should just be able to infer the information and make decisions."
- Developer
"Operators can make decisions on their own, but there can be training that can happen or protocols that can be followed ."
- Integrator
Initial Research/ Problem Validation
Understanding the Problem
Environmental Analysis | User Personas | User Journey
Market Research - Smart Manufacturing Market Size
Industry Forces - Gap in the Market
Product Functionalities
1. Monitoring & Control
2. Data Visualization
3. Alerts & Notifications
4. Scheduling & Automation
Opportunities
1. Integrated Training Modules
2. Access to Energy Efficiency Guides & Resources
Now let's understand the user better
Meet Jamie Palmer & Abram Weaver
Jamie Palmer
Operator
Personality
Teach Savy
Problem Solver
Adaptive
Collaborative
Pain Points
- Difficulty in quickly identifying energy-related issues
- Lack of user-friendly tools for monitoring energy data
- Feeling overwhelmed by complex energy management technology
"I need simple dashboards for energy monitoring, training for analytics, and real-time issue alerts."
Abram Weaver
Plant Manager
Personality
Teach Savy
Problem Solver
Adaptive
Collaborative
Pain Points
- Limited real-time visibility into plant operations data
- Operators are reluctant to adapt to new technologies
- Timely communication of action items with the operator on shop floor
"I need customizable dashboards, effective communication tools like alerts, and automated actions for streamlined operations."
Let’s step into their shoes and understand their journey.
Now that we've identified and understood the "problem" and "user's challenges", let’s explore the solutions!
Solution Discovery
Understanding the Solution
Crazy 8 | Solutions | Solution Iterations
Solution Objectives
1
Autonomous Task Management
The dashboard should empower plant managers and operators to efficiently manage their own tasks and schedules without waiting for input from the other party.
2
Reduced Training Needs
With access to comprehensive resources, operators can resolve issues independently, reducing the need for frequent training sessions and associated costs.
3
Streamlined Issue Resolution
Plant managers can quickly identify issues and suggest solutions through the dashboard, expediting the decision-making process and problem resolution.
Digging deeper...
To understand the solution better
Let's divide it into 3 key components
Key Component 1
Intuitive Dashboard for Operator & Customizable Dashboard for Plant Manager with in-app communication
Insight...
"At the operator level, they should just be able to infer the information and make decisions. But at the engineer level, there should be like, an ability to customize."
