Understanding the problem
The goal was to design and develop a solution that supports the experience of the two key user goals.
The first is to assist system administrators in configuring the Hypha devices for distribution and monitoring networks.
The second is to enable front-line workers with an interface that provides quick oversight on their devices network health.
Ideation & research
To design an interface for front-line workers, we needed to uncover what it is they really need to know about their Hypha devices when working a job.
At the time, the HyphaCAPs were being trialled in America where users were happy to participate in the discovery interview process. Here, we heard first-hand accounts from firefighters about their recent experience using the CAPS, stand-alone, and how we could work towards a solution that complements that.
We learnt that expected interaction with the mobile application will be minimal and only required when needed to assess the stability of the network connection. As such, alerts and notifications were critical for grabbing the users attention when the network is weak or the battery of the device is low. The information presented needed to be clean, upfront and straight to the point - these people can be placed in life-threatening situations and do not have the capacity to be fiddling around with their mobile devices. Some even went on to say 'fat fingers' were a real issue and must be considered.