OPUS Building Management Platform
A future-state building management web platform that combines real-time IoT data vizualization, smart automations and the ability to control IoT switches remotely, all in one place.
Client
AirGuard
Role
Project Lead, Product Designer
Scope
UI/UX Design, User Testing, User Stories,
High-Def Prototype, Front-End Development
Tools
Figma, React, Node.js
My Role
I was the project lead and sole designer in charge of UX design and UI design. The OPUS platform is a combined effort between myself, AirGuard stakeholders, consulted building managers and outsourced engineers.
The Problem
Traditionally, large commercial buildings utilize sophisticated
building management systems to monitor and control their buildings.
These systems, however, are old, complicated and expensive to train
people to use. They require each building to have their own
installation which can be costly and difficult to maintain in large
portfolio.
The goal of this project is to develop a web-based platform where
building managers or homeowners can access all of the controls and
Indoor Air Quality information across all buildings within their
portfolio, from a single location. Whilst also incorporting cutting
edge UI/UX design to ensure a more simplistic user interface for both
new and experienced users to navigate and utilize effectively.
Project Details
Design Goals
I wanted to create a fluid user experience, allowing for ease of use and quick actionable insights. The key for this new iteration of a building management system is to incorporate a simple user interface guiding the user to complete taks, or view real-time data quicker and more intuitively.
Target Users
- Senior Management / Building Portfolio Managers
- Homeowners / Tenants
- Male and Female
- Age between 25 and 60
- People who have experience with tech products
- People who have limited time and want to complete their tasks quickly and effectively
Objectives
Immediate Objectives
- Initially focus on developing an Indoor Air Quality monitoring feature, complete with device list, site list, real-time data readings and historical data vizualization.
- Create a more intuitive user interface with a cleaner, more modern aesthetic to allow for easier access to key features.
- Simplify Sign-Up/Login flow to improve onboarding experience.
Extended Objectives
- Responsiveness: Not crucial for this project, but an experience that's great on any screen but especially on mobile is great to have.
- Build out device automation configuration screen and setup flow.
- Maintain Consistency.
- Decrease production time (ship faster).
User Research
Stakeholder Interviews
As a key part of the user research we conducted in-person interviews with the key individuals who are in control of building management systems. Their insight is incredibly important as it allows us to pinpoint exacty what is required for the system, as well as highlights any potential painpoints we may have overlooked in the inital design thinking.
With the results from the interviews, I created three User Personas (seen below) based on distinct characteristics of the target users of the platform.
User Personas
User Personas were created to help bridge to the Ideation phase of the project. Constructing personas in this case helped to ask and answer the right questions in line for the types of users the platform is designed for. The chosen personas were as follows: