Business Goals

Increase people’s comprehension of what actions they can take on their outdoor property to conserve water
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Increase the amount of land in California that is used in conjunction with water conservation tools
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Increase people’s comprehension of whether they are meeting appropriate vs. inappropriate watering amounts/water bill charges (understanding where they stand)
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Increase adoption of Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller for traditional users and adoption of Rachio Smart Hose Timer for users without in-ground or above-ground irrigation

Establishing User Needs

Through user interviews with both existing Rachio users and newcomers to the platform, we gained valuable insights that helped us understand their needs and challenges. This process also gave us a clearer direction for our future strategy. During these user interviews, we delved into the frustrations people face when it comes to watering. We empathized with the hassle of constantly having to think about watering and the anxiety of watering methods failing, potentially causing damage to their cherished lawns. These interviews also revealed a strong desire for deeper insights into how their watering habits affect their water bills, the environment, and the health of their green spaces. To better connect with our users and address their needs, we developed a user empathy map, which provided a deeper understanding of their experiences and guided us in improving their current watering practices.

With a better understanding of our users, we now knew our mission was to provide users with practical knowledge and tools to:

Gain Clarity: Help users better understand where they currently stand with their watering practices.

‍Connect Actions to Costs: Explain the direct link between their water bills and their watering habits so they can make informed choices.

Save Wisely: Teach users how to save money on their water bills by watering efficiently.

Simplify and Enhance Lives: Offer straightforward advice that allows users to spend more quality time with loved ones in a beautiful outdoor space and focus on what truly matters in their lives.

Optimize Watering Methods: Educate users on watering techniques tailored to their plants and environmental considerations, making watering more effective and cost-efficient.

Our goal is to transform the way users approach watering, turning it into a smart and harmonious part of their lives rather than a burdensome chore.

Competitive Analysis

We knew from a competitor analysis (Dropcount and Flo) that to encourage long term usage of Rota, we had to consider tried and true methods include giving users customization, usage of alerts (sparingly), and access to learning material and data.

Do well: These apps included customization options to address concerns about the adaptability of smart sprinkler systems to different properties. To promote water conservation, they integrated tips and tricks and used reports and metrics to help users understand their watering practices and whether they fall within the "appropriate" or "inappropriate" spectrum.

Struggle: These apps did not have clear goals set for users and often times were unable to incorporate live data and recommendations based on weather conditions.

User Flow

After listening, exploring and empathizing with users, we imagined how users may actually want to use our design solution in the future and built a corresponding structure for some of the main features.

Sketching & Ideating

Sketches played an essential role in refining the key features, which were ultimately perfected in the final design iterations. By using early low-fidelity wireframes, we were able to conduct user testing and design critiques in designer brainstorming sessions.

Water Tracking - to help manage user’s watering

Current weather conditions - to inform the user of upcoming precipitation and help reduce overwatering

A personalized learning section - so users can learn about different topics of interest in the realm of yard care

Recommended watering schedules - to help curate unique watering schedules based on the user need and watering area

Feature Exploration

Testing with Users

We conducted a cognitive walkthrough with potential users using the paper prototype, revealing a range of issues that needed addressing. Among these, several pivotal issues emerged within the onboarding process, which we promptly resolved:

Overcoming the Physical Challenge: Users expressed reluctance to exit the app to measure their yards, fearing they might not return. To tackle this concern, we introduced an innovative solution - an integrated area measuring tool. This tool utilizes mobile phones, leveraging built-in gyroscopes and accelerometers, allowing users to measure their yards seamlessly without leaving the app.

Alleviating Cognitive Overload: The presentation of all watering information on a single page demanded excessive cognitive effort from users. In response, we restructured the information into separate pages, each categorized by specific topics. This strategic reorganization alleviated cognitive overload and made navigating the app more user-friendly.

Addressing Unknown Information: Many users faced uncertainty with certain queries, such as soil type or the the water usage data. In order to address these issues, we restructured the way data is presented to the user and ensured data was presented in familiar patterns.  In order to improved understandability, we even included a feature to help suggest answers to these more complex questions, making the app more informative and user-friendly.

Eliminating Redundant Steps: The 'calendar' on the Metrics page, upon examination, had no discernible impact on the subsequent app experience. As a result, we made the strategic decision to remove the calendar, simplifying the Metrics page and reducing unnecessary steps to view water usage.

By implementing these improvements, we have not only addressed key issues but also enhanced the overall user experience, making the app more intuitive and user-friendly.

Mid-Fidelity Testing

Using Figma, we seamlessly transitioned from our paper prototype to mid-fidelity wireframes. To make these wireframes test-ready for potential users, we opted for a grayscale palette and included temporary images. Prior to the testing phase, we engaged in multiple rounds of feedback sessions with our stakeholders. This collaborative process allowed us to fine-tune the user experience, ensuring it closely resembled what a new user would encounter. With our mid-fidelity prototype in hand, we ran unmoderated usability tests with potential users. We did stumble upon a few challenges in various sections, and I'd like to highlight those for you.

From the Metrics page, we noticed that users found the Regulations tab and settings less clear. Some thought they had to manually edit their daily watering schedule to record regulations.

On the same Metrics page, the monthly comparison table for water usage wasn't very intuitive. Participants believed they had to calculate the difference manually to determine water or cost savings compared to the previous month.

Adding a water regulation in the Metrics page, especially in the "Enter additional regulations" step, confused participants. They weren't sure what information was expected.

When users sought information on watering tools or the Rachio product catalog, most went to the Learn page. However, this information is under the Schedule tab, and many participants struggled to find it.

Lastly, on the Schedule page, editing yards proved tricky for participants. The edit button is somewhat hidden within the page, and some tried to access it through their profile icon.

Armed with the mentioned usability issues, our research insights became the driving force behind refining Rota's final high-fidelity prototype, greatly enhancing the interface and user experience.

Design Documentation

Good documentation is essential to explain the visual design, user experience, and maintain consistency in design, development, and feature governance. This helps internal and external teams quickly adopt the platform and collaborate effectively. In order to create accuracy and consistency, we collaborated with Rachio's herbologist for user-friendly terminology/copy. The design system expands on Rachio's core colors with earth-inspired tones. Our components and icons have soft, rounded edges, like our typography, and they use color to highlight important elements.

High-Fidelity Handoff

Once we ironed out the usability issues, we got down to creating the final screens in Figma. Every element in the application stuck to our design system, and we made sure to follow iOS standards for elements like buttons to make it App Store-ready if the project advances.

Drawing from valuable feedback from user testing and stakeholders, we made significant improvements to the entire application. For example, the home page went through multiple rounds of review, primarily due to its status as one of the initial high-fidelity wireframes we developed. The home page began as great jumping off point for the development of other key features across the app. Some notable features of the home page include users’ ability to effortlessly access notifications, attain insights into the weather forecast, view their profile settings and retrieve the day's watering schedules. This differs from our initials sketches, which had more content on the Home page, leading to information overload among our users.

We made sure to pass along all the project assets to Rachio, our valued stakeholders, for their implementation and ongoing development. Beyond just the assets, we also shared insights on next steps and highlighted key areas for improvement that went beyond the initial project scope.

Learning

This project was a captivating exploration of the design process, spanning a 6 month period. It taught me the invaluable lesson of the importance of involving subject matter experts during the discover phase to gain a deep understanding of intricate irrigation topics and concepts. I also had the opportunity to delve into project management, collaborating effectively with research, design, and stakeholders to address user pain points while aligning with business objectives. As a designer, I pushed my boundaries by mastering new Figma features and embracing advanced prototyping methods, making this journey both enlightening and enriching.

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