Product
Web and Mobile Management System
Client
Coralis
Coralis - Building a Unified Management System for Construction Contractors
Project Name:
Coralis - Building a Unified Management System for Construction Contractors
My Role:
Lead UI/UX Designer
Tools:
Figma
FigJam
Miro
Zoom
Project Duration:
6 Months
Project Description
This project involved creating a new, unified platform to replace fragmented and outdated tools used by construction contractors. The goal was to provide a seamless web and mobile experience for managing projects, tracking progress, handling documentation, and improving communication between office staff and field teams.
The Challenge
Managing construction projects effectively is complex, involving different teams (office and field) and tight deadlines. Before Coralis, contractors struggled with inefficient and disconnected methods:
Fragmented Tools: Projects often relied on a mix of spreadsheets, paper, and separate software tools that didn't work well together, creating data silos and inconsistencies.
Outdated Systems: Any existing digital tools frequently featured old and hard-to-understand interfaces, making them difficult to learn and frustrating to use effectively.
Major Problems: This lack of a unified, modern system led to significant issues like:
Poor Communication: Difficulty sharing real-time updates and information between field crews and office staff.
Trouble Tracking: Challenges in accurately monitoring project progress, managing budgets, and allocating resources.
Slow Data Flow: Problems getting critical information from the construction site back to the office quickly and reliably.
The main problems Coralis needed to fix with one integrated system were:
Lack of a Unified Experience: Users needed one consistent platform instead of switching between many separate tools or methods.
Difficult to Use: Existing project management tools were often not designed conveniently for the specific workflows of construction contractors.
Integration Issues: The system needed to seamlessly integrate with the third-party Priority system to handle essential business data, which was a key technical and functional requirement.
Goals
Our main goal was to design a single, easy-to-use system that connects everyone involved in a construction project and makes managing projects much more efficient.
Specific Goals:
Connect Everyone: Create a platform that links contractors, field teams, and office staff smoothly and effectively.
Improve Project View: Give all users clear, real-time visibility into project status and access to necessary documents.
Better Communication: Make sure information flows clearly and quickly between all project teams and sites.
Easier Tracking & Documents: Allow for accurate tracking of project data and documentation, keeping everything organized by specific projects.
Simplify Finances: Provide tools for clear record-keeping tailored to construction businesses, helping with managing budgets and resources.
Speed up Data: Make sending information from the construction site to the office fast, helping to speed up approvals (like buying materials).
Be Truly Easy to Use: Design a modern interface that is significantly simpler and more intuitive than older systems. This included specific usability aims like:
Faster Tasks: Reduce the number of steps needed to complete common actions (e.g., submitting a report).
Simple Navigation: Create clear and consistent ways to move around the system on both web and mobile.
Efficient Data Entry: Design forms and input methods that are quick and easy to fill out, especially on mobile devices in the field.
My Design Process
As the Lead UI/UX Designer for Coralis, I guided the design of the web and mobile platforms over a six-month period. My process involved studying successful systems and incorporating client feedback throughout.
a) Research:
My research began with analyzing similar construction management systems worldwide to understand their strengths and how they worked effectively. This helped me identify successful patterns for connecting different work groups. A key learning from this stage was the critical need for meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of the specific requirements of construction users to design usable modules.b) Planning & Concepts:
Based on the research, I defined the platform's Information Architecture to organize project data logically. I also used sketching to explore initial concepts for layouts and interactions for both web dashboards and mobile interfaces. I participated in team discussions to develop and refine these ideas.c) Design (Mobile-First) & Design System:
My design approach started with the mobile platform, prioritizing the needs of field users. I began by redesigning the existing mobile system to address its usability issues. Simultaneously, I started creating the core Design System for the entire Coralis project to ensure visual and functional consistency across web and mobile. I created wireframes and then detailed high-fidelity mockups in Figma.d) Collaboration:
I maintained close communication with the development team and product managers throughout the design process. These discussions were important for aligning design feasibility with technical capabilities and product strategy.e) Testing & Refinement:
A key part of the process was gathering direct feedback from clients who were using the system. I actively incorporated their comments and even designed custom features for specific needs. This valuable feedback directly informed design changes and additions, allowing for iterative improvements.
The Solution
The Coralis Contractor Portal was successfully launched as a unified system, featuring a web application for detailed office management and reporting, and a mobile application optimized for field use.
Web Platform: The web interface serves as the central hub for project oversight and administration. It includes:
A Comprehensive Dashboard providing a high-level overview of all active projects.
Detailed sections for Reports on progress, budgets, and resources.
Essential Administrative Tools.
The design system ensured a consistent and professional look and feel across the platform.
Mobile Application: The mobile application was designed for field users, prioritizing speed and ease of use on job sites. It provides an Optimized Interface for critical tasks, such as submitting Daily Reports, uploading Photos directly from the site, and accurately Tracking Time. The design focused on making data entry fast and intuitive, directly supporting usability in challenging field conditions.
Results & Impact
The introduction of the Coralis Contractor Portal had a clear positive impact on construction project management:
Measurable Improvements (Trends):
Users could enter data on mobile devices much faster.
Specific project management tasks became more efficient.
Communication between field and office sped up.
There was a significant reduction in paper documentation.
Positive Feedback:
Clients gave positive comments regarding the system's usability, efficiency, and improved project management capabilities.
The unified system fostered improved collaboration between field and office teams by providing a shared source of truth.
Goals Achieved: The design successfully contributed to the project's goals by creating a unified connection, improving project visibility, streamlining data flow, and significantly enhancing usability compared to older methods.
Learnings
Leading the design for Coralis provided valuable lessons, especially about designing for the construction industry and managing different platforms:
Designing for a Specific Industry: I gained deep insights into the unique workflows, challenges, and needs of the construction industry. Understanding the difference between office and field environments was crucial.
Multi-Platform Design: This project improved my skills in designing for both web and mobile (for field use), emphasizing the need to tailor the experience to each context.
Leading Design: As the lead designer, I gained experience in guiding the design direction for a complex project and ensuring consistency across the system.
Designing for Integration: I learned about the design considerations involved in creating an interface that needs to seamlessly integrate with third-party systems, like Priority.