Grundfos
Unifying data-driven design to enhance disaster mitigation and streamline global water management.
Role
Lead UX Designer
Responsibilities
As the Lead UX Designer, I took charge of weaving together research, strategy, and prototyping. Mentoring designers, collaborating closely with developers, data analysts, and product managers.
The Challenge
The challenge was clear from the outset how do you transform a complex, fragmented water management system into an intuitive and scalable tool that empowers global teams to respond swiftly to floods and natural disasters? Grundfos needed more than just a facelift; they needed a cohesive design system capable of handling vast datasets, enabling predictive analytics, and improving collaboration between designers and developers.
The Research
Understanding unique needs.
To truly understand the pain points, we immersed ourselves in the daily workflows of municipal planners and disaster response teams. Surveys, interviews, and observational studies revealed that 85% of users struggled with systems that lacked real-time visualisation and scalability critical elements for mitigating disasters.
We didn’t stop there. By analysing competitors like IBM Weather Operations and ArcGIS Dashboards, we uncovered a glaring gap no one had prioritised design systems that fostered seamless collaboration across disciplines. Armed with this insight, we set out to build something better.
Mapping her journey helped us pinpoint bottlenecks and opportunities to streamline workflows.
Ideation
Creating the big idea.
In collaborative design sprints, I managed the team by gathering around whiteboards and sketchpads, brainstorming ways to integrate IoT sensor data and AI-powered alerts. From these sessions emerged concepts for dashboards that prioritised clarity and actionability.
User flows were carefully mapped out, ensuring every click and swipe guided users toward actionable insights. We envisioned a system that felt less like software and more like an ally in crisis management.
We also crafted personas, like Sarah, a Municipal Water Planner, who faced data silos and inconsistent interfaces that slowed her ability to respond effectively.
Design Process
Envisioning the solution.
The first sketches were rough low-fidelity wireframes that allowed us to test basic layouts quickly. Feedback sessions with stakeholders led to iterations that clarified navigation and prioritised critical data.
From there, I created interactive prototypes, simulating workflows for data visualisation and alert management. These prototypes weren’t just for show; they were rigorously tested to uncover friction points early.
With the foundations set, we developed a cohesive visual design system.
Testing & Validation
Refining through feedback.
Usability testing was pivotal. Remote and moderated sessions revealed that 90% of users found the new interface intuitive and actionable. But we didn’t stop there.
I iterated based on feedback, enhancing filtering options and adding visual cues to prioritised urgent alerts. The before-and-after comparisons highlighted just how much simpler and faster tasks had become..
Results & Impact
Outcomes and impact.
When the dust settled, the results spoke for themselves:
- 40% faster decision-making thanks to streamlined workflows.
- 30% reduction in onboarding time due to standardised UI components.
This wasn’t just about numbers, though. For users like Sarah, the system became a game-changer. One planner summed it up perfectly:
“This system cuts response time drastically, I can visualise risks and alert teams in minutes.”
— Sarah
Reflection & Learnings
Insights and Lessons Learned.
Looking back, what made this project successful was our commitment to iteration and collaboration. Building a unified design language eliminated inconsistencies and ensured a smoother handoff to development.
But it wasn’t without challenges. Balancing global scalability with local customisation stretched our design thinking. Managing performance while handling massive datasets tested our technical limits. And yet, these hurdles pushed us to innovate.
For the future, there’s still more to explore expanding predictive analytics, enhancing IoT integrations, and fine-tuning accessibility features.