Carantee App is designed to revolutionize the process of car inspections for mechanics and automotive professionals by eliminating the need for paper forms. The app aims to streamline the inspection process, enhance efficiency, and provide a seamless user experience for both inspectors and clients.
Creating a revolutionary application to streamline the process of car inspections
for mechanics and automotive professionals.
Client
Autodata ME
Duration and outcome
6 Months 38 Screens
My role
- Senior Product Designer
I led the design effort to improve car inspections. From understanding user needs to creating user-friendly interfaces, I ensured our designs met industry standards. By listening to feedback and refining designs, I aimed to make car inspections easier for mechanics and automotive professionals.
Tools used
Introduction
Automata ME identified the necessity for modernizing the car inspection process in the Middle East. In response, they created the Carantee App, which revolutionized car inspections by eliminating paper forms and streamlining the process.
This case study explores the UX design process of the Carantee App. It aims to transition the traditional paper-based car inspection process into a digital solution for mechanics and automotive professionals, seeking to streamline inspections, improve efficiency, and provide a seamless user experience for both inspectors and clients.
Understanding The challenge
The existing paper-based inspection forms posed several challenges:
Inefficiency
Paper forms were time-consuming to fill out and process, leading to delays in inspection reports.
Data Accuracy
Handwritten forms often resulted in illegible or incomplete information, compromising the accuracy of inspection reports.
Environmental Impact
The reliance on paper forms contributed to unnecessary paper waste, aligning poorly with sustainability goals.
Possible Solution
Develop a tablet application with intuitive user interfaces for inspectors to conduct inspections digitally, store data securely, and generate reports efficiently. Implement features such as customizable inspection templates, image uploads, and real-time syncing to enhance usability.
The process
DISCOVER
01
02
IDEATE
PROTOTYPE
03
04
EVALUATE
PRODUCE
05
Discover Phase
Gain insight into the business model, identify user pain points, and understand the specific needs of mechanics concerning car inspections.
01
Stakeholder Interviews
UX process starts with stakeholder interviews, not user interviews
I started the project by talking to stakeholders. These conversations helped me understand their goals, challenges, and expectations regarding the inspection process. By personally conducting these interviews, I aimed to gather insights to create solutions that meet their needs and solve their problems.
User Interviews
To gain deeper insights into the needs and expectations of our target users, I conducted one-on-one interviews with mechanics, automotive professionals, and clients involved in the vehicle inspection process.
During the user interviews with mechanics, I asked various questions to uncover insights into their daily workflows and pain points related to the vehicle inspection process.
Here are some examples of the questions I asked:
Field Study (Ethnography)
Ethnographic field studies involved observing mechanics and automotive professionals’ natural work environments.
This immersive approach provided valuable insights into their daily routines, interactions with clients, and the intricacies of the inspection process.
Observations included how they interacted with paper forms, conducted inspections, and communicated with clients.
Discovery phase findings
Stakeholder Interviews
- Stakeholders prioritize efficiency and improved communication in the inspection process.
- Key challenges include data organization and client communication.
User Interviews
- Mechanics seek a user-friendly digital solution to simplify inspections and enhance data management.
- Clients emphasize transparency and reliability in inspection reports.
Field Study (Ethnography)
- Mechanics adapt inspection processes based on vehicle readiness, highlighting the need for flexibility.
- Paper-based forms contribute to documentation errors and communication challenges.
These insights inform the development of Carantee, focusing on efficiency, user-friendliness, transparency, and flexibility in the inspection process.
Ideate Phase
Brainstormed innovative solutions to address the pain points identified in the discovery phase
02
Persona design
Created a user persona based on research findings to represent different user groups and their specific goals, motivations, and challenges.
This persona served as a reference point throughout the design process to ensure that the app meets the needs of its target audience.
User journey
The user journey map was tailored to the person, highlighting the unique goals, motivations, and pain points at each stage of the inspection process.
User flow
User flow diagrams were mapped out to ensure a smooth and intuitive navigation experience for both inspectors and clients, incorporating features such as appointment scheduling, digital form submission, and report sharing.
Prototype Phase
Translate the ideated concepts into tangible visual representations
03
Wireframes
I developed wireframes to define the app’s layout and structure, emphasizing easy navigation and clear information organization. These wireframes were crafted in alignment with the user journey maps to depict the app’s flow and structure accurately.
Test and Iterate
Iterated on wireframes based on feedback from mechanics, automotive professionals, and clients.
Before
Included a section titled ‘Explanation of Color Scoring‘ in the inspection form, allowing mechanics easy access to prevent confusion and errors.
After
Enhanced accessibility by enabling mechanics to resume inspections through various methods such as entering VIN, username, application, or phone number, not limited to scanning VIN alone.
Improved the inspection screen by incorporating additional details such as scoring and including a bottom view of the car to reveal any potential bottom accidents, enhancing clarity on the car’s condition.
Updated the process to send inspection results directly to the client instead of displaying them within the application, mitigating potential conflicts between the client and mechanic, especially if the condition of the car is unfavorable and the client may not react positively to the results.
UI design and style guide
Iterated on wireframes based on feedback from mechanics, automotive professionals, and clients.
Color scheme
Ultramarine Blue
#465DEF
Alabaster
#F8FAFC
Cloud Burst
#25265E
Warm Blue
#5651e8
Typography
Roboto
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Aa
Icons
UI elements
High fidelity design
Created a high-fidelity prototype with polished visual design and interactive elements to simulate the final product experience, preparing it for usability testing.
Evaluate Phase
Conducted usability testing to assess the effectiveness of the design solutions
04
Usability Testing
After completing the high-fidelity design, I conducted usability testing with 5 mechanics and clients to gather feedback on the prototype. The test was conducted in person and inside the inspection shop to obtain accurate results. Mechanics were asked to complete the following tasks:
- Log in to the Carantee app using your provided credentials.
- Navigate to the section for starting a new inspection.
- Find and select the option to begin an inspection for a specific vehicle.
- Locate and fill out the required fields for vehicle information accurately.
- Use the app to scan and upload any relevant documents or images for the inspection.
- Proceed through the inspection checklist and mark each item as either pass or fail based on the vehicle’s condition.
- Make any necessary annotations or comments for items that require further explanation.
- Find the section for adding additional notes or recommendations for the client.
- Complete the inspection and submit it through the app.
- Review the submitted inspection report to ensure all information is correct and properly documented.
- Find and access the section for viewing past inspection reports for reference or review.
- Log out of the Carantee app when finished using it.
During the usability testing sessions, mechanics successfully navigated through Carantee application and completed all assigned tasks within the expected time frame. Moreover, they accomplished these tasks without encountering any errors or difficulties, indicating a positive user experience with the app’s interface and functionality.
With mechanics successfully navigating and completing tasks error-free during usability testing, the Carantee application is now primed for finalization in the production phase. This entails preparing for handover to developers for implementation.
Produce Phase
Handing over the app to developers for implementation.
05
Finalising the design
I finalized the design based on insights gathered during the evaluation phase.
Collaboration with developers
Prepared design specifications and assets for handoff to the development team for implementation.
Final design
Final design
01
Easy Login
Mechanics can quickly access the app with minimal effort, reducing friction at the beginning of the inspection process.
02
Flexible Inspection Creation
Mechanics have the option to create a new inspection or resume an unfinished one, catering to various scenarios and workflows.
03
User and Vehicle Info Section
Allows mechanics to input and store relevant information for future reference, enhancing efficiency during inspections.
04
Non-linear Inspection Form
Designed the inspection form to be accessible from any section, enabling mechanics to navigate based on their workflow rather than a fixed order.
05
Professional Car Photography
The app enables users to effortlessly capture and submit professional-grade photos of their vehicles, facilitating seamless integration into marketplace listings. This feature accelerates the process of selling cars, ensuring swift and effective transactions.
06
Review and Sign
Enables clients to review inspection findings and sign off digitally, simplifying the approval process.
07
Submit and Generate Certificate
Complete inspections and generate digital certificates seamlessly.
The Result
Carantee App successfully revolutionizes the car inspection process, streamlining workflows, enhancing efficiency, and improving user satisfaction. Mechanics benefit from a digital platform that simplifies data capture and communication, while clients enjoy greater transparency and convenience throughout the inspection process. With continuous iteration and improvement, Carantee remains at the forefront of innovation in the automotive industry, setting new standards for digital inspection solutions.
20
Improvement in data management
Digital forms, photo capture, and annotation tools facilitate accurate data collection, minimizing errors. Centralized storage enhances data security and accessibility, ensuring critical information is readily available.
25
Improvement in client satisfaction.
Real-time updates and notifications, along with the convenience of digital forms and communication channels, enhance the overall customer experience, leading to higher retention rates and positive reviews through improved trust and satisfaction.
30
Percent increase in Efficiency
By digitizing the inspection process, mechanics are now able to serve more clients within the same timeframe, thanks to the elimination of paperwork and streamlined data capture processes.
Key Takeaways
Understanding User Needs Through Thorough Research
User research is crucial for understanding user needs and designing solutions that address real-world challenges.
Continuous Improvement Through Iterative Design
Iterative design and development processes allow for continuous improvement and optimization based on user feedback.
Essential Collaboration for Successful Product Development
Collaboration between designers, developers, and stakeholders is essential for creating a cohesive and successful product.
Prioritizing Simplicity, Usability, and Reliability in Design
Prioritizing simplicity, usability, and reliability in app design leads to better user experiences and higher adoption rates.
Future Enhancements
Integration with CRM systems
for better client management.
Incorporation of AI
for predictive maintenance recommendations.
Expansion of features
for fleet management and maintenance scheduling.
Continuous improvement
based on user feedback and evolving industry trends.
In conclusion, Carantee App has successfully addressed the challenges associated with traditional car inspections by providing a user-friendly, efficient, and digitally-driven solution.
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