Apps to save the planet

Case study talk given to UX Cambridge 2013

Transcript

1. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org UX in the global conservation sector Apps to save the planet Friday, 6 September 13
2. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org UX is vital in our sector On a basic level we want people to use our products • So that better data is collected, more frequently • So that policy makers understand problems & make better decisions • So that behavior changes Ultimately so that biodiversity & ecosystems are protected and enhanced Friday, 6 September 13
3. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Some challenges • Political variations • Infrastructure problems • Language • Equipment • Climate • Lots of Data • Mixed ability users (both in terms of scientific knowledge & technology skills) Friday, 6 September 13
4. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Blue Carbon Recording coastal habitats in Abu Dhabi Friday, 6 September 13
5. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org A bit about ground-truthing Friday, 6 September 13
6. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Project Scope • Create validation tools for field teams to check the accuracy of each GIS layer • Create an on-line database to take existing blue carbon data and to be able to take new data produced by ground-truthing existing maps. New data will follow a number of parameters agreed upon by the International Blue Carbon Steering Group • Create a geographic tool which will allow the Blue Carbon resource of any given area of coastline to be determined Friday, 6 September 13
7. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org “Are you sure you just want a Database?” Friday, 6 September 13
8. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org “ this could be so much more ” Friday, 6 September 13
9. What if... @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Friday, 6 September 13
10. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org • We’ve never made a mobile app before • We probably don’t have enough money to do this • We probably don’t have enough time to do this (4 weeks) But hold on... Friday, 6 September 13
11. The process @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Friday, 6 September 13
12. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Work flow • Small team (2 devs + 1 product manager / designer) • Daily stand-up meetings (including the client) • Designing in html after initial wireframe • Current / Backlog / icebox on wall Friday, 6 September 13
13. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Design (Involving all the team ) • User stories • White board sketches • Prototype Friday, 6 September 13
14. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org A bit about the tech stack MacBook Pro local storage of habitat edits until pushed to server 3G Updates to server / data when data connection present All mapping tiles currently stored locally Friday, 6 September 13
15. • User stories • White board sketches @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Guerrilla testing Friday, 6 September 13
16. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Field testing Friday, 6 September 13
17. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Friday, 6 September 13
18. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Successes vs Failures • Achieved goals • Working process • Produced a lot in the time • Client was happy • Opened up new avenues for future projects • We loved doing it • Not cross platform • Developer distribution only • Should it have been native? Friday, 6 September 13
19. @Tim_S_Wilkinson :: www.unep-wcmc.org :: tim.wilkinson@unep-wcmc.org Thank You Friday, 6 September 13