Small Constructions, Faster, Better.
Simplifying construction management for small home builders
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Client: Proqual
My role: Project manager and designer
Duration: 2 weeks
Team: Addi and myself
Proqual is a building defect management MVP developed to address quality management for small construction projects based on assumptions and experiences by the client.
In a design sprint using lean UX principles, we found the target user needs more than just a defect management tool and there is an unmet need for user-friendly construction management software.
PROJECT GOALS
Test the existing MVP with builders to validate our client's assumptions
Through conversations with builders, identify opportunities and develop solutions to address problems found in discovery
TESTING
Our client assumed quality control on small construction projects was a problem for builders as well as their clients. The solution he created, Proqual, is a building defect logger which generates PDF reports to share with project stakeholders. It had not been tested yet.
LEAN UX
Due to resource and time constraints on the project, we had to carefully scope what can be achieved in 2 weeks for testing, research, design, and further testing.
Assumptions had to be made to speed up the design process and we started with the client's big assumption – testing his MVP with users.
STARTING A CONVERSATION
Simultaneously testing the existing MVP and conducting user interviews, we found small builders would manage defects quickly by phone, email, and text. There were just not enough defects on a small building project to warrant spending time on another process.
Our findings also demonstrated a lack of solutions for smaller builders to help manage their construction projects and there were opportunities to develop the existing MVP into a solution with greater value for users.
DIGGING DEEPER
To get a broad understanding of the problem space, we spoke to different people in the industry. This was also necessary because builders were hard to pin down.
FINDINGS
Time and Speed
To be competitive and profitable, builders run tight schedules and multiple projects which can negatively impact project quality.
Communication and Coordination
Transparency is key to building positive relationships with clients. Clients do not like to be kept in the dark with building progress and project issues.
Builders are conduits between what the client wants and what their subcontractors build on-site. Making sure information is passed on and acted on is a key part of their role.
Documentation
Good construction quality starts with accurate and detailed drawings. Making sure the right drawings are available to build off is also critical to achieving a defect free project.
Reliability and predictability
Good subcontractors are hard to find and many builders stick to subcontractors who they are familiar with.
Building projects are inherently risky due to the number of things which can go wrong like weather which cannot be controlled and material delays.
Quality
Building quality cannot be viewed in isolation and is the combination good project management, reliable subcontractors and clear drawings and communication.
THE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT AS A SYSTEM
Our research suggested the construction project is complex and has multiple stakeholders, and is scaled up as project value increases. Quality cannot be viewed in isolation because it is the product of many factors including communication, coordination, subcontractor reliability, documentation quality and supervision to name a few.
THE BUILDER
Proqual was created for builders and project managers. At the centre of the project is the builder who also acts as the project manager. Given the builder' integral role, so we kept our focus on them.
COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION
Many pain points and opportunities point to communication and coordination so we had a look at how builders currently do this:
IDEATION
We began to look at the key pain points and opportunities for the builder but also for everyone, as it is a system. Using tools like OST and HMW's, we concluded that builders need more than just defect management. However existing project management solutions which include defect management are too expensive and did not meet the small builder's needs.
WHAT COULD WORK
From what was discovered in research and ideation, a simplified, mobile-first solution that does more than just defect management could greatly improve project coordination and quality management. Incorporating a live dashboard for subcontractors and clients to access without signing in would help the builder coordinate with everyone. Builders are also busy, so any solution which can save time will be beneficial.
SIMPLE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
I made assumptions based on my experience as a construction project manager and decided on some of the essential features of construction project management which address some of the key opportunities identified in the research.
BACK TO TESTING
In line with lean UX principles, we went back to the users once the concept was developed enough for them to get an understanding of what the new product can do – instead of waiting to develop a functioning prototype. We walked them through the features and how the product can be used through moderated user tests with select tasks.
OUTCOMES
Based on the limited testing we were able to complete, most found the concept to be very useful and one builder was very excited and said:
“I don’t like that it’s not out yet”
“Everyone in construction, we’re basic, for me it’s perfect”
This helped to validate there is an underserviced segment and that smaller builders with multiple projects are not catered for by existing construction project management software. We presented this to the client along with the research for them to develop further with the following recommendations.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Having established the concept might have legs, additional studies need to be done including:
Identifying and prioritising what features will be included in further testing leading up to the potential development of an MVP.
Testing prototypes and establishing metrics to see if the app would be able to improve project coordination and quality while reducing time spent on communication.
Testing the dashboard and user flows for collaboration with clients and subcontractors to learn if this would also meet their needs:
Subcontractors need to be comfortable and willing to use this platform.
Clients need to be satisfied and assured with the level of transparency and communication provided on their project.
REFLECTIONS
Project scoping is important. Knowing what can be achieved at the start with the available resources takes experience.
Being flexible, agile and using lean principles can help overcome project constraints and speed up the UX process. The process is not formulaic but modular and scalable. No two projects are the same.
People respond to honesty and openness when asked to give their time for research. Most builders were happy to share their thoughts when I needed to validate some assumptions despite being cold-called.