The challange
The clients are materials engineers who work with major companies in the steel and metallurgy industry. They perform calculations to determine the best materials for building refractory equipment used, for example, in steel production.
The idea was to create a SaaS system that engineers in the field could use to perform analyses on-site, while also serving as a repository for equipment projects, making it easier to revisit and reanalyze past projects.
The process
To get started on this system, I needed to dive deep into the world of these industries to truly understand in which situations and how the product would be used.
With that goal in mind, I conducted semi-structured interviews with other materials engineers and industry representatives, who walked me through exactly what their pain points and needs were in each scenario.
From there, I mapped out the user flow and designed the system interface. Using a high-fidelity prototype, I ran usability tests with members of the target audience.
The deliveries
I delivered the research findings, key insights, system flowcharts, interface screens, and a style guide to support the development phase.
