Streamlining Project Assignment for Pergola Manufacturing Supervisors

Streamlining Project Assignment for Pergola Manufacturing Supervisors

Streamlining Project Assignment for Pergola Manufacturing Supervisors

Introduction

Problem Statement

My UX Process

Research & Discovery

Designing the Solution

Final Look

Learnings & Next Steps

Desktop App

Desktop App

Desktop App

Industrial UX

Industrial UX

Industrial UX

Task / Workload Management

Task / Workload Management

Task / Workload Management

Worked On: Q1’ 2020

Worked On: Q1’ 2020

Worked On: Q1’ 2020

Introduction

Project Overview

Supervisors in manufacturing were juggling spreadsheets, paperwork, and endless phone calls just to track projects and assign tasks—talk about a headache! 😵‍💫 This often led to mistakes, delays, and zero real-time visibility. My mission was to design a Desktop app that cuts the chaos, digitizes task management, and makes workflow tracking smooth and stress-free.

Supervisors in manufacturing were juggling spreadsheets, paperwork, and endless phone calls just to track projects and assign tasks—talk about a headache! 😵‍💫 This often led to mistakes, delays, and zero real-time visibility. My mission was to design a Desktop app that cuts the chaos, digitizes task management, and makes workflow tracking smooth and stress-free.

My Role & Responsibilities

As the UX designer, I was responsible for user research, defining workflows, wireframing, and UI design. I collaborated closely with stakeholders to ensure the solution was intuitive and aligned with business needs. Additionally, I worked on adapting the UI for Hebrew localization (RTL design).

As the UX designer, I was responsible for user research, defining workflows, wireframing, and UI design. I collaborated closely with stakeholders to ensure the solution was intuitive and aligned with business needs. Additionally, I worked on adapting the UI for Hebrew localization (RTL design).

Designing for non-tech-savvy supervisors who required a simple interface. Ensuring the UI worked seamlessly in Hebrew with right-to-left (RTL) layout.Aligning with existing workflows while introducing UX improvements.

Designing for non-tech-savvy supervisors who required a simple interface. Ensuring the UI worked seamlessly in Hebrew with right-to-left (RTL) layout. Aligning with existing workflows while introducing UX improvements.

Designing for non-tech-savvy supervisors who required a simple interface. Ensuring the UI worked seamlessly in Hebrew with right-to-left (RTL) layout. Aligning with existing workflows while introducing UX improvements.

Key Challenges & Constraints

Problem Statement

Supervisors at a Pergola & Rafafa manufacturing company (pergolas are outdoor shade structures, and rafafa refers to modular shelter panels) rely on manual processes like spreadsheets, paperwork, and phone calls to manage assembly projects and assign tasks. They must physically hand over project details to worker groups, causing confusion, miscommunication, and difficulty in tracking progress.

Without a centralized digital system, supervisors struggle to assign tasks efficiently, monitor worker performance, and ensure smooth operations. A user-friendly desktop app is needed to digitize task management, streamline tracking, and improve overall efficiency.

Supervisors at a Pergola & Rafafa manufacturing company (pergolas are outdoor shade structures, and rafafa refers to modular shelter panels) rely on manual processes like spreadsheets, paperwork, and phone calls to manage assembly projects and assign tasks. They must physically hand over project details to worker groups, causing confusion, miscommunication, and difficulty in tracking progress.

Without a centralized digital system, supervisors struggle to assign tasks efficiently, monitor worker performance, and ensure smooth operations. A user-friendly desktop app is needed to digitize task management, streamline tracking, and improve overall efficiency.

My UX Process

Research

User interviews through the client to understand user challenges and pain points.

1

Ideate

Developed storyboards and user flows to visualize the supervisor's journey and task assignment process.

3

Prototype

Created wireframes and high-fidelity mockups.

4

Define

Synthesized insights using affinity mapping and created a user persona to define key problems.

Test

Adapted mockups to Hebrew, ensuring clarity & usability for the target users.

A visual representation of my UX process, mapped as a winding road with five key phases: Research, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.

A visual representation of my UX process, mapped as a winding road with five key phases: Research, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.

Designing a smooth workflow wasn't just about making things look good, it was about solving real problems!

I followed a structured UX process, starting with Research to uncover supervisor challenges, Defining key issues, brainstorming solutions, and crafting prototypes. Each step brought me closer to an efficient, localized solution.

Up next: A deep dive into how each stage shaped the final design! 🚀

Designing a smooth workflow wasn't just about making things look good, it was about solving real problems!

I followed a structured UX process, starting with Research to uncover supervisor challenges, Defining key issues, brainstorming solutions, and crafting prototypes. Each step brought me closer to an efficient, localized solution.

Up next: A deep dive into how each stage shaped the final design! 🚀

Research & Discovery

To craft the best solution, I first had to step into the supervisors' shoes (metaphorically, of course! 😉 ). Since direct interviews weren’t an option, I played detective—gathering insights through the client to uncover the real struggles of managing assembly projects.

To craft the best solution, I first had to step into the supervisors' shoes (metaphorically, of course! 😉 ). Since direct interviews weren’t an option, I played detective—gathering insights through the client to uncover the real struggles of managing assembly projects.

User Interviews (via Client)

Since direct interviews weren’t possible, I gathered insights through the client, focusing on how supervisors assign tasks, track progress, and the challenges they face.

Since direct interviews weren’t possible, I gathered insights through the client, focusing on how supervisors assign tasks, track progress, and the challenges they face.

Affinity Mapping

To synthesize user interview insights, I used affinity mapping. I first listed all the pain points and insights gathered from the interviews. Then, I grouped similar issues into logical categories to identify patterns. Finally, I ideated solutions for each group to address key challenges.

To synthesize user interview insights, I used affinity mapping. I first listed all the pain points and insights gathered from the interviews. Then, I grouped similar issues into logical categories to identify patterns. Finally, I ideated solutions for each group to address key challenges.

First, I noted down all the raw pain points and insights from user interviews. Each sticky note represents a specific challenge or observation.

First, I noted down all the raw pain points and insights from user interviews. Each sticky note represents a specific challenge or observation.

First, I noted down all the raw pain points and insights from user interviews. Each sticky note represents a specific challenge or observation.

Next, the insights have been categorized into themes, helping identify key problem areas. Based on these groupings, I started brainstorming possible solutions to address each issue effectively.

Next, the insights have been categorized into themes, helping identify key problem areas. Based on these groupings, I started brainstorming possible solutions to address each issue effectively.

Next, the insights have been categorized into themes, helping identify key problem areas. Based on these groupings, I started brainstorming possible solutions to address each issue effectively.

User Persona

This user persona represents our target user, highlighting their goals, pain points, and motivations to guide our design decisions

David Cohen

David Cohen

David Cohen

Location: Tel Aviv, Israel

Tech Proficiency: Not very tech-savvy, prefers simple & intuitive desktop software for easy task management.

Tech Proficiency: Not very tech-savvy, prefers simple & intuitive desktop software for easy task management.

Tech Proficiency: Not very tech-savvy, prefers simple & intuitive desktop software for easy task management.

Job Title: Manufacturing Supervisor

Age: 42

Goals & Needs

  • Easily assign and track tasks for different worker groups

  • Ensure fair distribution of workload to prevent burnout

  • Reduce miscommunication that leads to delays

  • Access real-time updates on project status and issues

  • Prioritize high-value tasks efficiently

Pain Points

  • Difficulty in tracking which worker group is overloaded

  • Assigning tasks is time-consuming and involves multiple steps

  • Miscommunication often leads to project delays

  • No centralized tool to track quality issues or defects

  • Has to physically visit the units to check progress

Motivations

  • Wants to improve efficiency and reduce time spent on manual task assignments

  • Aims to maintain high-quality output without constant supervision

  • Needs a tool that integrates seamlessly into his existing workflow

Storyboarding

Before diving into designs, I sketched out the supervisor’s journey—because nothing explains frustration (or relief) better than a good story! This helped me make sure the solution actually fits their needs, not just looks good.

"Me vs my never-ending to-do list… and I’m losing it."

"I swear these papers multiply when I’m not looking."

"Okay, I was suffering for NOTHING. This is a game-changer!"

"WOO - HOOO! This app just saved my sanity!"

"I swear, if I have to sort one more task manually, I’m going to.....— wait… what’s that? is that a magic screen?"

"Here, take this task… and don’t lose it like last time!"

"Déjà vu? Or have I assigned this task 500 times already?"

Designing the Solution

Sketches

One of the many low-fidelity sketches I created during the ideation phase. Through multiple iterations, the design evolved to enhance usability and efficiency

Early Sketch

High Fidelity Wireframes

This is a one-page web application designed for supervisors to efficiently assign and manage projects across worker tables. The Main Page of the App serves as the central hub for managing project assignments. It features a Worker Tables Grid, where supervisors can view and organize projects efficiently. Each table card displays essential details like the number of assigned projects, total area covered, and worker availability and other details. Projects can be dragged from the Project panel and dropped onto a table, streamlining the assignment process with real-time visual feedback. The page is designed for clarity, quick decision-making, and smooth interaction, ensuring an intuitive user experience.

Main Page

Drag & Drop Interaction

Final Look

Converting Designs to RTL Layout in Hebrew

Since the users are from Israel and primarily use Hebrew, the design needed to be adapted to a right-to-left (RTL) layout. This wasn’t just about flipping elements—it meant carefully adjusting navigation, text alignment, and icons to feel natural. We also had to ensure that mixed LTR-RTL content, like numbers and dates, displayed correctly. To get everything just right, we worked closely with the client, conducting usability tests and fine-tuning the details based on feedback. The result? A seamless and intuitive experience that feels truly native to Hebrew-speaking users

Since the users are from Israel and primarily use Hebrew, the design needed to be adapted to a right-to-left (RTL) layout. This wasn’t just about flipping elements—it meant carefully adjusting navigation, text alignment, and icons to feel natural. We also had to ensure that mixed LTR-RTL content, like numbers and dates, displayed correctly. To get everything just right, we worked closely with the client, conducting usability tests and fine-tuning the details based on feedback. The result? A seamless and intuitive experience that feels truly native to Hebrew-speaking users

Since the users are from Israel and primarily use Hebrew, the design needed to be adapted to a right-to-left (RTL) layout. This wasn’t just about flipping elements—it meant carefully adjusting navigation, text alignment, and icons to feel natural. We also had to ensure that mixed LTR-RTL content, like numbers and dates, displayed correctly. To get everything just right, we worked closely with the client, conducting usability tests and fine-tuning the details based on feedback. The result? A seamless and intuitive experience that feels truly native to Hebrew-speaking users