WaterWise and VTSCADA Applications
Role
Lead UX Designer
Date
August 2024
Project Overview
Upon joining GlobaLogix, I was introduced to the SCADA design industry, where I was tasked with researching SCADA standards and best practices to inform my designs. While strict regulations prevented me from creating my own design system, I focused on building simple, intuitive interfaces that allowed engineers and operators to navigate efficiently. Additionally, SCADA screens are often cluttered with numerous components, so my role was to streamline and declutter the screens to enhance usability.
Challenges
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Immerse myself in a complex and unfamiliar industry where adhering to stringent SCADA design standards is critical.
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Serve as the sole designer within the company.
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Translate SCADA engineering terminology into actionable design elements to effectively communicate and implement the technical requirements in my designs.
Research!
Prior to initiating the design process, I conducted comprehensive research on SCADA/HMI industry trends and best practices to tailor the designs for my target users effectively. This research was instrumental in understanding the standards necessary for both website and mobile applications. While enhancing visual aesthetics is a significant aspect of my work, I have learned from existing SCADA software designs that prioritizing simplicity is crucial. The primary objective is to ensure that engineers and operators can efficiently collect data, analyze it, and make decisions with maximum speed and accuracy.
Pain Points
Address the pain points of operators and engineers to ensure a design that meets universal acceptance and effectively resolves their challenges.
Adhere to stringent industry standards, which impose constraints on the design approach and solutions.
Simplify user navigation and minimize visual clutter to enhance the usability of naturally complex screens.
Implement responsive designs that maintain SCADA functionality and performance without compromise.
User Flow!
To establish a clear vision for user navigation within each application, I created a user flow chart outlining every potential path a user might take. This approach provides a solid foundation for drafting wireframes and configuring navigational components effectively.
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Mock-Ups
Next, I drafted mock-ups of potential SCADA designs, balancing SCADA standards with my design vision. These mock-ups, specifically created for a desktop/laptop responsive view of the SCADA software, highlight the before-and-after differences. Although no design system was developed in this instance due to SCADA standards, which mandate a light gray background and specific alarm priority colors, these mock-ups demonstrate the intended direction. Please note that the blue tanks are included purely for demonstration purposes, and this is not the final design.
Lastly.. Prototype!
Now it's time to put all the hard work together for usability testing! A diligently designed high-fidelity prototype has been constructed to vividly demonstrate how the application would seamlessly function on various mobile devices, ensuring a user-friendly experience. Note: this is a low-fidelity prototype of a SCADA mobile application.
Takeaways
As a newcomer to the world of SCADA engineering, my initial experience with SCADA design screens was overwhelming. I had no prior knowledge of SCADA or how I could enhance the user experience and interface of such highly complex engineering software systems. The majority of my understanding was gained through hours of user and industry research, helping me grasp the dos and don’ts of SCADA design. In this field, an effective user interface relies on simple, fast navigation for analyzing critical data and visualizing trends and patterns. As a fresh face in the industry, I brought a unique perspective, allowing me to identify visual clutter in existing SCADA designs and offer a fresh, streamlined approach. The key lesson I learned: simplicity is paramount.