HOPE
HOPE
HOPE
DISASTER
DISASTER
DISASTER
RECOVERY
RECOVERY
RECOVERY
Streamlining volunteer to organization communication so volunteers can focus on the real work to be done.
Streamlining volunteer to organization communication so volunteers can focus on the real work to be done.
HOPE
DISASTER
RECOVERY
Streamlining volunteer to organization communication so volunteers can focus on the real work to be done.
ROLE
UI/UX Designer
TEAM
1 UI/UX designer
12 developers
10 developers
TIMELINE
Ongoing (3 months)
SKILLS
Prototyping
Usability Testing
User Testing
Information Architecture
TOOLS
Figma
OVERVIEW
Hope Disaster Recovery is a nonprofit that works to get volunteers to disaster-impacted zones across the Greater Houston area, ideally getting those communities the help they need as quickly as possible.
My team and I at RiceApps have been working to create a platform for them that will streamline volunteer registration & canvassing information tracking so that volunteers can focus on the real job to be done.
Hope Disaster Recovery is a nonprofit that works to get volunteers to disaster-impacted zones across the Greater Houston area, ideally getting those communities the help they need as quickly as possible.
My team and I at RiceApps have been working to create a platform for them that will streamline volunteer registration & canvassing information tracking so that volunteers can focus on the real job to be done.
Hope Disaster Recovery is a nonprofit that works to get volunteers to disaster-impacted zones across the Greater Houston area, ideally getting those communities the help they need as quickly as possible.
My team and I at RiceApps have been working to create a platform for them that will streamline volunteer registration & canvassing information tracking so that volunteers can focus on the real job to be done.
The Problem
The Problem
The Problem
As a city prone to natural disasters, Houston's disaster-impacted neighborhoods have a critical need for canvassing. After meeting with our community partner, Gary, the chairman of Hope Disaster Recovery, we learned that a lot of these needs were unmet by their current application, Crisis Cleanup, for recording canvassing information.
As a city prone to natural disasters, Houston's disaster-impacted neighborhoods have a critical need for canvassing. After meeting with our community partner, Gary, the chairman of Hope Disaster Recovery, we learned that a lot of these needs were unmet by their current application, Crisis Cleanup, for recording canvassing information.
As a city prone to natural disasters, Houston's disaster-impacted neighborhoods have a critical need for canvassing. After meeting with our community partner, Gary, the chairman of Hope Disaster Recovery, we learned that a lot of these needs were unmet by their current application, Crisis Cleanup, for recording canvassing information.
These small pitfalls in the current website lead to big cracks in communities having access to the support they need.
These small pitfalls in the current website lead to big cracks in communities having access to the support they need.
These small pitfalls in the current website lead to big cracks in communities having access to the support they need.
Volunteer Needs
Volunteer Needs
KNOWLEDGE
KNOWLEDGE
Information on victims & their needs
Information on victims & their needs
COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION
Admins can track volunteer activity
Admins can track volunteer activity
CREDIBILITY
CREDIBILITY
Credible information about resources & data privacy
Credible information about resources & data privacy
Current Solution
Current Solution
MISSED HOMES
Forgotten communities never get the help they need.
Forgotten communities never get the help they need.
DELAY
No source of communication between admins & volunteers
No source of communication between admins & volunteers
INSECURITY
No centralized resources or secure data storage system
No centralized resources or secure data storage system
35% of people who ask for help through Crisis Cleanup never receive it despite volunteers working for 3-5 weeks after a disaster. The nature of disaster volunteer work is devastating, and having a platform that can make the canvassing process more efficient is crucial.
35% of people who ask for help through Crisis Cleanup never receive it despite volunteers working for 3-5 weeks after a disaster. The nature of disaster volunteer work is devastating, and having a platform that can make the canvassing process more efficient is crucial.
35% of people who ask for help through Crisis Cleanup never receive it despite volunteers working for 3-5 weeks after a disaster. The nature of disaster volunteer work is devastating, and having a platform that can make the canvassing process more efficient is crucial.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
PROBLEM STATEMENT
PROBLEM STATEMENT
How can we simplify the canvassing process so that volunteers are able to work more efficiently while administrators are able to effectively track and store that work?
How can we simplify the canvassing process so that volunteers are able to work more efficiently while administrators are able to effectively track and store that work?
How can we simplify the canvassing process so that volunteers are able to work more efficiently while administrators are able to effectively track and store that work?
How Do Volunteers Work?
How Do Volunteers Work?
How Do Volunteers Work?
To work towards replicating a mobile experience that satisfied what volunteers were used to and that could satisfy the needs of various volunteer organizations that would be using the platform, I first mapped out what the process of canvassing homes looks like for a volunteer actively collecting information in the field and validated that process through stakeholder meetings with Gary and conversations with volunteers.
To work towards replicating a mobile experience that satisfied what volunteers were used to and that could satisfy the needs of various volunteer organizations that would be using the platform, I first mapped out what the process of canvassing homes looks like for a volunteer actively collecting information in the field and validated that process through stakeholder meetings with Gary and conversations with volunteers.
To work towards replicating a mobile experience that satisfied what volunteers were used to and that could satisfy the needs of various volunteer organizations that would be using the platform, I first mapped out what the process of canvassing homes looks like for a volunteer actively collecting information in the field and validated that process through stakeholder meetings with Gary and conversations with volunteers.
VOLUNTEER PROCESS
VOLUNTEER PROCESS
From Process to Design
From Process to Design
From Process to Design
After understanding the volunteer process, I worked through a series of 3 design iterations in weekly sprints with developers, scrum meetings with a product manager and weekly meetings with the stakeholder (Gary) to get feedback on the design as well as update him on the progress of the app.
After understanding the volunteer process, I worked through a series of 3 design iterations in weekly sprints with developers, scrum meetings with a product manager and weekly meetings with the stakeholder (Gary) to get feedback on the design as well as update him on the progress of the app.
After understanding the volunteer process, I worked through a series of 3 design iterations in weekly sprints with developers, scrum meetings with a product manager and weekly meetings with the stakeholder (Gary) to get feedback on the design as well as update him on the progress of the app.
PAIN POINT
PAIN POINT
PAIN POINT
Users are overwhelmed by disorganized information on screens and confusing tags that didn't apply to the skillsets of volunteers.
Users are overwhelmed by disorganized information on screens and confusing tags that didn't apply to the skillsets of volunteers.
Users are overwhelmed by disorganized information on screens and confusing tags that didn't apply to the skillsets of volunteers.
Previous Platform
Previous Platform
Volunteer platform made for both service provider nonprofits & canvassing volunteers = confusing usability for regular volunteers
Volunteer platform made for both service provider nonprofits & canvassing volunteers = confusing usability for regular volunteers
Redesigned Event View
Redesigned Event View
Intuitive navigation to alternative address views
Intuitive navigation to alternative address views
Consolidation of damage metrics into a single indicator minimizing volunteer confusion
Consolidation of damage metrics into a single indicator minimizing volunteer confusion
Redesigned House View
Redesigned House View
Redesigned for easy access to information volunteers need most importantly
Redesigned for easy access to information volunteers need most importantly
Previous Platform
Previous Platform
Cluttered and overly-specific filters reduced canvassing efficiency & confused volunteers
Cluttered and overly-specific filters reduced canvassing efficiency & confused volunteers
Redesigned Filter + Map View
Redesigned Filter + Map View
Simplified filters for volunteers to view event completion status
Simplified filters for volunteers to view event completion status
PAIN POINT
PAIN POINT
Administrators want to have more established methods of contact with volunteers and keep track of volunteer activity.
Administrators want to have more established methods of contact with volunteers and keep track of volunteer activity.
Created Volunteer Management Dashboard as well as Volunteer Profiles for admin use
Created Volunteer Management Dashboard as well as Volunteer Profiles for admin use
Admins can track which volunteers last worked on each home in the canvassing project & download updated forms
Admins can track which volunteers last worked on each home in the canvassing project & download updated forms
PAIN POINT
PAIN POINT
Survey forms needed from each home were not integrated with canvassing trackers, causing friction having to constantly switch between 2 platforms.
Survey forms needed from each home were not integrated with canvassing trackers, causing friction having to constantly switch between 2 platforms.
Survey forms broken into sections for easier volunteer navigation when on-site
Survey forms broken into sections for easier volunteer navigation when on-site
Language select option for accessibility toward non-English speaking homeowners
Language select option for accessibility toward non-English speaking homeowners
Autosaved forms for seamless handoff between volunteers
Autosaved forms for seamless handoff between volunteers
CONSTRAINTS
CONSTRAINTS
Various conflicts emerged throughout the development process that delayed the timeline. These conflicts impacted the delivery of the final full-stack MVP, however this case study includes the full design prototype that was handed off to the developers to complete.
Various conflicts emerged throughout the development process that delayed the timeline. These conflicts impacted the delivery of the final full-stack MVP, however this case study includes the full design prototype that was handed off to the developers to complete.
TIMING
TIMING
Much of the user research was consolidated in order to accommodate developer schedules.
Much of the user research was consolidated in order to accommodate developer schedules.
TEAM CHANGES
TEAM CHANGES
The team product manager was unable to continue the project after 2 months and the team workflow lagged due to role restructuring.
The team product manager was unable to continue the project after 2 months and the team workflow lagged due to role restructuring.
CLIENT GOALS
CLIENT GOALS
Our client's goals were unclear and changed frequently, affecting design iterations.
Our client's goals were unclear and changed frequently, affecting design iterations.
Final Thoughts
KEY TAKEAWAYS
BALANCING STAKEHOLDER AND USER NEEDS
Our stakeholder came into the project with expectations from the app that misaligned with technical feasibilities and what would be more intuitive for users. Designing requires a careful balance between satisfying the needs of the stakeholder and creating a intuitive interface for users.
Our stakeholder came into the project with expectations from the app that misaligned with technical feasibilities and what would be more intuitive for users. Designing requires a careful balance between satisfying the needs of the stakeholder and creating a intuitive interface for users.
UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITIES YOU'RE IMPACTING
This project required a deep understanding of how volunteer groups operated in Houston, how city government organizes census blocks and neighborhoods, and how large organizations, like our community partner, play into the Houston crisis ecosystem. I spent countless of meetings between our community partner and volunteers to understand these dynamics before diving into the designing.
This project required a deep understanding of how volunteer groups operated in Houston, how city government organizes census blocks and neighborhoods, and how large organizations, like our community partner, play into the Houston crisis ecosystem. I spent countless of meetings between our community partner and volunteers to understand these dynamics before diving into the designing.
CROSS TEAM COLLABORATION
Working with developers requires a delicate balance of working quickly to hand off to developers, polishing it with the team's PM, and iterating on your designs more. I learned to adjust to this balance and work together in a team of developers, a PM and me as the designer given tight timelines.
Working with developers requires a delicate balance of working quickly to hand off to developers, polishing it with the team's PM, and iterating on your designs more. I learned to adjust to this balance and work together in a team of developers, a PM and me as the designer given tight timelines.
Want to see more of my work?
Want to see more of my work?
Want to see more of my work?