Case Study 1- PG&E

Project Overview

PG&E uses a system known as Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events as part of a long-term strategy to help prevent wildfires. However the current system is a burden for customers as the events were too long in duration and had delays in alerts/notifications.

My challenge was to redesign and to enhance this application to minimize the event size into a consumable format. This had a direct impact on reducing the risk of wildfires by optimizing the location and time of power shutoffs. By redesigning this application we saw an increase in the customer satisfaction score to a 9.6/10.

In addition, I undertook numerous projects in redesigning the Palantir’s Foundry enterprise data platform, to centralize, curate, and transform data into business insights.I designed a visualization dashboard for a Large Fire Probability(LFP) using ArcGis Pro. The platform is used by the external portal team. This allows operational meteorologists to visualize the LFP output across the entire PG&E territory.

TRADE

Roles: Senior User Experience Designer

Tools: Invision, Sketch, Zeplin, Adobe Suite

Responsibilities

Discover

PG&E wanted to improve the current PSPS application by closing the gaps and applying those learnings to other wildfire risk mitigation activities.

To understand the real-time usage and gain insight for designing new features by observing and interviewing the stakeholders.

Research

USABILITY

STRUCTURE & ORGANIZATION

POSITIONING

User Persona

Before I began my designs I wanted to understand the users’ needs, desires, and pain points while using this application. Through conducting user interviews I was able to develop a user persona that highlighted the empathy and connection between the user and the application.

The Journey

I identified 4 areas where the customers interacted with PSPS Viewer application:

For the initial MVP, we chose the risk model and prioritization tool that will allow a granular examination of circuit segments that benefits the customers and communities by striving to make events “smaller” or “shorter.”

Wireframes

I created a rough low fidelity wireframes for my screens, and went through an iteration process to shape the application. Building this wireframe allowed early feedback from business and technical stakeholders. This ensured the visual designers and developers understand the client’s vision.

UI Designs

My intension for this platform is to create a solution that increases the ability to determine and communicate impact of an event effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.

Using the wireframe as a foundation for the layout and structure, I designed hi fidelity mockups. I used material design principles to fully customize Ui components to provide visual representations.

This application is specially designed in dark theme as it is used in in low-light environments which will help to reduce eye strains.

Case Study 1- PG&E

PG&E uses a system known as Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events as part of a long-term strategy to help prevent wildfires. However the current system is a burden for customers as the events were too long in duration and had delays in alerts/notifications.

Roles: Senior User Experience Designer

Tools: Invision, Sketch, Zeplin, Adobe Suite

UX/UI strategy of the overall design

Wireframes, hi-fi mockups

Prototyping

Specs/documentation to guide developers

Design system

Hands-on designing the end-to end experiences

PG&E wanted to improve the current PSPS application by closing the gaps and applying those learnings to other wildfire risk mitigation activities.

To understand the real-time usage and gain insight for designing new features by observing and interviewing the stakeholders.

USABILITY

How easily can I create an event or update an event?

Can I quickly update or edit and share events to save time?

How easy is it for me to find latest information sent by meteorology?

How straight forward and hassle-free is it for me to stage data and publish?

STRUCTURE & ORGANIZATION

How clear was the platform layout with regards to user flows & navigational structure?

Were the features organized logically within, to understand design patterns?

How easily could I understand the overall design and structure?

How easily can I create a event and perform customizable filtered searches, receive notifications and publish?

POSITIONING

What were the key qualities that made the platform stand out from the previous application?

What specific information was the platform seeking to accommodate?

How does the platform create a distinctive building and publishing experience?

Before I began my designs I wanted to understand the users’ needs, desires, and pain points while using this application. Through conducting user interviews I was able to develop a user persona that highlighted the empathy and connection between the user and the application.

I identified 4 areas where the customers interacted with PSPS Viewer application:

Create a Timeplace

View & Edit Timeplaces

Create an Event

View & Edit Events.

For the initial MVP, we chose the risk model and prioritization tool that will allow a granular examination of circuit segments that benefits the customers and communities by striving to make events “smaller” or “shorter.”

I created a rough low fidelity wireframes for my screens, and went through an iteration process to shape the application. Building this wireframe allowed early feedback from business and technical stakeholders. This ensured the visual designers and developers understand the client’s vision.

My intension for this platform is to create a solution that increases the ability to determine and communicate impact of an event effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.

Using the wireframe as a foundation for the layout and structure, I designed hi fidelity mockups. I used material design principles to fully customize Ui components to provide visual representations.

This application is specially designed in dark theme as it is used in in low-light environments which will help to reduce eye strains.