NIEMS

The purpose of this project was to Design and Deliver simple interface for a internal SAAS product NIEMS (National Incident and Event Management System) that could analyse complex data for traffic incidents, yearly contractor performance, regional roadworks and break it down into segments that can be easier for users to comprehend and make informed decisions.

I worked as the senior UX/UI in the project team alongside with the PM, Senior BA, Front end dev, backend dev and the end users (TOC operators)

The project impact was national wide level as all the TOC operators from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch region were the end users

• Build, monitor and manage State Highway Network
• Invest in land transport activities (CCTV cameras, build softwares, signages etc.)
• Work with local regional authorities such as (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch etc.)
• Other activities like providing driver and vehicle licensing etc.

Road to Zero sets an initial target to reduce deaths and serious injuries on New Zealand’s roads, streets, cycleways and footpaths by 40 percent over the next 10 years. Reaching that target would mean reducing annual road deaths to 227 and serious injuries to 1,680 by 2030.

The agency adopted the agile working model to achieve our project goal. We followed the double diamond framework Discover, Define, Design and Deliver

Qualitative research

A series of interviews and focused group sessions were conducted with the users to gain the requirements for the project. After a series of talk we were able to extract the requirements and have them documented on the confluence.

1:1 with ATOC, CTOC, WTOC users

As a part of the user research process, I spent a whole working day at the Auckland Transport Operations Centre (ATOC) to understand and observe users and studied their ways of working in natural environment

Few of observations and learnings;

• The end users were technical people
• The users were exposed to multiple screens
• They worked in 12 hours shift
• The TOC is functional 24x7
• They monitor over 450 CCTV cameras

Quantitative research, Google analytics, Problem space, How things work

TOC operations manager

Flow diagram

Product features

Design, feedback, iterate, repeat

B/W screen designs

Working on the NIEMS software helped me set up NZTA's first design system. This was a collaborative effort shared between three designers. The design system was developed by following best practices from Google's material design whilst maintaining NZTA' brand guidelines.

UI Elements

The software and tools used in the project is Figma

Due to the COVID level 3 alert situation remote usability testing was conducted

Remote testing session

Following best practice WCAG guidelines (meeting AA and AAA contrast requirements

The final desktop prototype can be viewed here

The final mobile prototype can be viewed here

On design completion the project was handed over to the devs for execution

Jira board

Conducting remote usability testing and observing the participants was a good learning experience. Recording the tests helped me revisit and work on the iterations on a much more detailed way without missing out on any feedback or comments.

Kind words from the project manager

Learning

It was an absolute pleasure having you join the NIEMS project team. Barry fitted in seamlessly, were proactive, delivered great output and outcomes with NIEMS and the reporting user stories, and contributed well in the working group meetings with the business. I found Barry very approachable, open, an excellent communicator and you are great at what you do. I'd love to work with Barry again. — Jenny C, Project Manager

Thank you for reading!