Reconstruct
Remote construction project progress updates and monitoring
Product Design
Mobile (iOS)
Shipped
Overview
Reconstruct, a construction tech start-up company, had a mobile app with a lot of potential but lacked research-driven user experience. During the first half of 2022, as a design team of one, I prioritized collecting data through user research and competitive analysis to redesign both the app's interface and functionality in order to maintain user retention and bring in new clients/projects.
Role & Duration
Project Status (Partially Shipped)
As of July 2023, all the pages that have been redesigned, documented and handed off to development have been shipped. The rest is still in-development within Reconstruct's current design team. As a result of the shipped redesign, the company has seen roughly 18% increase in new projects on various client accounts.
Background
Reconstruct Inc provides a B2B SaaS platform that uses camera-based reality capture to create 3D models of construction sites, overlaying them on project timelines for remote progress tracking and quality control. Reconstruct Capture, the mobile app, allows users to capture site images/videos and review project updates remotely.
Launched in 2021, Reconstruct Capture received intermittent UI updates, but users frequently found it cumbersome and tiring to use. Complaints led the product and sales teams to prioritize a redesign to enhance user experience and attract new clients.
From ambiguity to clarity
As the sole designer responsible for mobile design, I was tasked to redesign everything in the app. While the general goal of the project sounded simple enough, it was too broad with no clear strategy. To effectively address the issues, I needed to understand the root causes of user frustrations and gather relevant user stories.
Collecting information through research
REVIEWING THE CURRENT STATE OF THE PRODUCT
I started by reviewing the existing app to identify prominent issues and avoid bias in my analysis.
Quick documentation of Reconstruct Capture review using GoodNotes on my iPad
UNDERSTANDING CLIENTS' PERSPECTIVES
I often heard about customer dissatisfaction, but I wanted to get direct feedback from users. I interviewed 10 users (6 clients and 4 internal users) about the app userflow, their opinions on features, and their views on how project progress data is presented. These were some key insights from the discussions:
TURNING CHALLENGE INTO OPPORTUNITY THROUGH COMPETITVE RESEARCH
After comparing Reconstruct to competitors like Structionsite or OpenSpace, it was clear that Reconstruct lacked several features found in their mobile products. While Reconstruct Capture's core functions—capturing job site images, checking updates, and monitoring progress—worked as intended, their execution and missing features put Reconstruct at a disadvantage. However, this highlighted an opportunity to enhance our product and stay competitive.
Reconstruct might not have new opportunities against its competitors but it can fill the gap.
Diverging my research finding
RE-DEFINING THE PROBLEM STATEMENT
After analyzing the research, I pinpointed the core issue: customers needed an easier way to monitor site progress remotely. Our new problem statement for the redesign became the following:
BREAKING DOWN PLAN OF ACTION BEFORE DESIGNING
To manage this redesign alongside other projects, I segmented the work into actionable steps. Collaborating with my product manager, I developed a plan by evaluating each app section based on its value and the effort needed.
Surprise! You're working on a new project
Halfway through the redesign, the company decided to shift its focus from mobile to web development. This decision paused further redesign work but allowed me to apply new skills to future developments. The rest of this case study includes the completed portion of the project.
Translating research findings to concept sketches
QUICK AND DIRTY EARLY-STAGE SKETCHES
Untamed sketches and flushing out general layouts of various screens using Procreate on my iPad
VALIDATING INITIAL CONCEPTS WITH INTERNAL TEAM MEMBERS
While sketching initial concepts, I needed prompt feedback. Lacking a co-designer and facing scheduling challenges with customers, I consulted my manager, product managers, CS team, and developers. Despite not having direct user input, their experience with both our app and competitors' apps provided valuable insights. Their feedback helped validate the designs.
SO, HOW DID THEY FEEL ABOUT THE INITIAL CONCEPTS?
The participants reacted positively, noting the enhanced focus on project and floor plan images. This feature was seen as a useful visual aid for users searching for specific projects or locations. I then refined the designs, incorporating their feedback to add more detail and context.
Low-fidelity wireframes
Main low fidelity wireframes of each redesign goals (from left to right — project list, location list, uploads and downloads log, and login screens)
Testing new design solutions
HOW DID THE PROJECT LIST SCREEN TEST WITH USERS?
In order to validate all the design decisions made at this stage so far, I sought out 4 Reconstruct users to conduct usability testing with the low-fidelity wireframes and collect initial feedback.
QUICK SUMMARY OF USABILITY TEST RESULTS FOR OTHER SECTIONS
Users navigated the app effectively, though they suggested more prominent indicators for location updates, similar to their feedback on the project list screen. They found the tabs in the uploads and downloads log useful for distinguishing item statuses. Additionally, all users excelled in the login screen test.
The Solution
Reconstruct Capture makes it easy to monitor and quality control any construction project without having to visit the job site.
View most recent updates to get insight of your project.
Efficiently manage project data anywhere you go.
Wrapping up the project
DOCUMENTATION AND HAND-OFFS TO DEV
To finalize this project phase, I coordinated with the mobile development team to review and discuss the final designs. I addressed their questions, ensured alignment with our previous discussions, and completed the documentation. A recorded design walkthrough was also provided to offer a comprehensive reference. The updated project list and location list screens were launched on March 16, 2022, followed by the new uploads and downloads log screens, which were released on May 17, 2023.
Reflecting back
Throughout this project, I struggled with imposter syndrome, feeling daunted by the responsibility of redesigning the entire mobile app without senior guidance. It was a significant personal challenge. However, I’m deeply grateful for the support from my coworkers, especially my product managers and direct manager, who played a crucial role in helping me succeed.
Professionally, I learned the value of breaking projects into manageable chunks and prioritizing key areas, which is crucial for a small design team. Leading this large-scale redesign at Reconstruct taught me the importance of collaboration across teams and valuing diverse feedback. Despite facing ambiguity and constraints, I pushed beyond my comfort zone, reached out for support, and utilized available resources to overcome challenges.
