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Transforming Complexity into Seamless Productivity

FENYX Quick Tools offer a suite of utilities designed to simplify workflows for managing traffic controllers, including data transfer, software updates, and task scheduling. As the Product/UX Designer, I spearheaded the design process to develop an intuitive, user-focused interface that reduces errors and boosts productivity.

Problem Space

Through extensive usability testing in FENYX, we identified that several key daily tasks, critical to the workflows of field operators and traffic management centers, had not been fully addressed. These tasks are fundamental to their operations, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to meet their everyday requirements effectively.

Controller Data Transfer During Breakdowns: Field workers face the time-consuming task of manually transferring data when a controller breaks down, leading to inefficiencies and delays.


Simplifying Data Management: Field workers struggle with the cumbersome process of carrying physical timing sheets during configurations, which can lead to errors and inefficiencies.


Copying Data Between Controllers: Copying data manually from one controller to another is a complex and error-prone task that disrupts workflow efficiency.

Role

Role

UI/UX Designer, UI Developer

Deliverables

Deliverables

Hi-Fi Design Prototypes

UI Components

Industry

Industry

Traffic Management

Duration

Duration

May 2024 - Nov 2024

Deep Dive into the Problem

Field workers and traffic management teams face significant challenges when it comes to managing and configuring controllers and intersections, mainly due to outdated, manual processes and limited digital tools. These problems reduce the overall operational efficiency, increase the likelihood of errors, and hinder the speed of critical tasks.

Impacts and Hypothesis

  1. Controller Data Transfer

Problem:

When a controller breaks down, field workers rely on manual processes to transfer data to a new or backup controller. This transfer process is time-consuming and highly prone to human error.

Impact:

  1. Inefficiency: Manual data transfer consumes a significant amount of time, which delays the restoration of traffic control operations.

  2. Risk of Error: Typographical mistakes or missed steps in the manual process can lead to improper configurations, potentially affecting traffic flow and safety.

Insight:

If we implement an automated data transfer system between controllers, within FENYX, then field workers will be able to restore traffic control operations more quickly and with fewer errors because the manual process will be eliminated.

  1. Importing and Exporting Data

Problem:

The current processes for importing and exporting data are cumbersome and lack standardization. This makes it difficult to perform bulk updates, backups, or configure multiple controllers at once.

Impact:

  1. Inefficient Bulk Handling: Workers and traffic management teams struggle to handle large datasets due to the lack of a streamlined process.

  2. Inconsistency: The absence of standard formats (such as .csv) for importing and exporting data leads to errors and inconsistencies, which slow down the process of configuration, backups, or updates.

Hypothesis:

If we allow users to import and export data in standardized formats like .csv, then bulk updates and backups will become quicker and more consistent, reducing manual effort and errors.

  1. Data Copying Between Controllers

Problem:

Currently, there is no easy way to copy data from one controller to another, creating unnecessary complexity and inefficiencies in workflows.

Impact:

  1. Manual Redundancy: Without the ability to copy data between controllers, workers are forced to input the same information multiple times across different devices, wasting time and effort.

  2. Increased Complexity: Managing multiple controllers without a simple copy feature complicates processes, especially when configuring multiple intersections or responding to issues at scale.

Hypothesis:

If we enable a feature to copy configuration data between controllers, then field workers will spend less time inputting redundant data, streamlining their workflow and reducing errors.

Generating Ideas

User needs were mapped based on research and stories to align proposed features with real-world workflows and pain points. Detailed user flows were created to visualize and validate how users would navigate each tool, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and user-centered experience.

Mapping the User Needs

I gathered and analyzed user stories based on extensive research and field use cases. These stories reflect the daily challenges and goals of field operators and traffic management specialists. By understanding their workflows, pain points, and expectations, I identified and derived the necessary features for each tool. This approach ensures that every feature is directly aligned with user needs, enhancing usability and efficiency while solving critical problems effectively.

Embracing UX Patterns

By leveraging key UX psychology principles such as Hick’s Law, Fitts’s Law, and Jakob’s Law, we ensured that tools were easy to access, follow, and use. Consistent workflows, stepwise guidance, and clear error handling reduced cognitive load and enhanced user confidence. Placing quick tools in the Appbar made critical features readily available, while familiar patterns across tools simplified learning and improved task efficiency. This approach created a seamless, predictable experience tailored to user needs.

Hick's Law (Simplifying Decision-Making): By limiting user choices at any given moment (e.g., stepwise workflows and guided reviews), we simplified decision-making, reducing overwhelm and enabling users to focus on one task at a time.


Fitts's Law (Easy of Access): Quick tools were placed in the Appbar, a persistent and easily accessible location, minimizing the distance users needed to travel with their cursor or focus.


Jakob's Law (Familiarity Breeds Comfort): All tools in FENYX were designed with consistent workflows, such as stepwise progress, data reviews, and error handling, ensuring users didn’t have to relearn how each tool worked.


Cognitive Load Reduction: Breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps and providing clear progress indicators helped users focus on one task at a time without feeling overwhelmed.


Error Prevention and Recovery: Consistent error messages and retry options for operations like multi-module copying allowed users to recover easily from mistakes.

User Flows and Wireframes

The goal is to create a design solution that makes tools globally accessible within FENYX while effectively addressing the key pain points uncovered during user interviews. The solution should focus on ensuring ease of use, enhancing efficiency, and providing reliable functionality. By addressing user challenges such as workflow complexity, flexibility in data handling, and error recovery, the design aims to deliver a seamless and intuitive experience that meets the diverse needs of users across various environments.

Design Enhancement

After the first iteration of the wireframes, we identified several areas that require improvement based on the initial testing. Users struggled to follow the process, despite having clearly outlined steps, suggesting a lack of intuitive guidance that hindered their ability to proceed confidently and efficiently. Additionally, users expressed a need for the ability to select data at multiple levels, such as partial or full data sets, as the current lack of flexibility led to inefficiencies and frustration. During the review phase, users had difficulty differentiating and validating their partial and full data selections, which increased the likelihood of errors and created uncertainty. Furthermore, users were unable to determine which module was currently being processed, leading to confusion, especially when managing multiple modules simultaneously. Lastly, when failures occurred during multi-module copying, users struggled to undo or retry operations for specific modules, which disrupted workflows and required additional effort to resolve partial failures. These insights highlight key areas for refinement in the next iteration of the design.

  • Enhancing Step Navigation

  • Enhancing Step Navigation

  • Flexible Data Selection

  • Improving Review Transparency

  • Clarifying Module Processing Status

  • Modular Error Prevention

Copy Wizard

Queue Wizard

Import / Export Wizard

Final Screens

After crafting detailed and user-centered designs, I collaborated closely with the engineering team to ensure a seamless transition from concept to implementation. Beyond handing off the designs, I actively participated in the development process by assisting in building components and layouts that aligned perfectly with the design specifications. By bridging the gap between design and development, I streamlined workflows, reduced iteration cycles, and enhanced the efficiency of the engineering team. This hands-on approach not only ensured design fidelity but also accelerated the overall development timeline, driving the project toward successful delivery.

Globally Accessible

Quick tools are globally accessible through the Appbar, ensuring users can efficiently reach essential features anytime,

  • Fitts's law

Clear Guidance

The step-by-step approach provides users with clear guidance, delivering instant feedback after each step, ensuring users remain informed and confident throughout the process.

  • Nielsen's Heuristic for Visibility of System Status

Data Selection

The ability to review data before and after selection helps users verify their choices, minimizing mistakes and ensuring accuracy in the process.

  • Recognition Over Recall

Review Before Proceeding

The system ensures users can only begin the process once all the data has been reviewed, preventing premature actions and promoting accuracy.

  • Error Prevention

Real - Time Updates on Progress

The system provides real-time updates on the process, keeping users informed about the status and ensuring they stay aware of any changes.

  • Nielsen's Heuristic for Visibility of System Status

Instant Success Feedback

Instant Success Feedback

The system provides an instant success message upon task completion, offering immediate positive reinforcement and enhancing user satisfaction.

The system provides an instant success message upon task completion, offering immediate positive reinforcement and enhancing user satisfaction.

  • Positive Reinforcement

Functionality for Error Recovery

Functionality for Error Recovery

The system allows users to undo any actions if mistakes are made, giving them the flexibility to correct errors and continue without disruption.

The system allows users to undo any actions if mistakes are made, giving them the flexibility to correct errors and continue without disruption.

  • Error Recovery

Retry Failed Actions

Retry Failed Actions

In case of failure, the system lets users retry the affected process, saving time and minimizing disruption by allowing them to correct mistakes without starting over.

In case of failure, the system lets users retry the affected process, saving time and minimizing disruption by allowing them to correct mistakes without starting over.

  • Hick's Law

The Final Call

Ultimately, our team succeeded in creating a unified and intuitive solution for controller configuration and management. The FENYX app achieved exceptional results, redefining user expectations while maintaining simplicity and usability across various controllers.

Winning Moments

  1. Increased Efficiency: Features like global quick tool access in the Appbar and retry options for failed processes streamlined workflows, saving users valuable time and enhancing their productivity.

  2. Improved Satisfaction: Instant success messages and the ability to undo or retry actions fostered positive reinforcement, leaving users with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after completing tasks.

Lessons Learned

  1. The Power of Instant Feedback: Providing immediate feedback at each step, whether it was a success message or error notification, greatly improved user trust and reduced hesitation during critical actions.

  2. Flexibility is Key: Giving users control, such as the ability to retry failed actions or undo mistakes, was crucial in minimizing frustration and ensuring a smooth experience.

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© 2025 sachinmadhav.com
Made with passion & love from Toronto.

Lets get to it,
Together.

Feel free to reach out if you want to start a project collaborate, or simply have a chat.

Connect

© 2025 sachinmadhav.com
Made with passion & love from Toronto.