Improving the experience of people facing floods, with personalized alerts and real-time data.
My Roles
User Research
Benchmark
Personas
User Journey Map
Wireframes
User Flow
Prototypes
User Interface
User Tests
This project came about a few years after completing my MBA in Project Management at FGV. When choosing a topic for my thesis, I decided to develop a project plan for the development of a product that would be aligned with the pain points and needs of the people in my city, while also fitting into my professional context.
Now, I have decided to develop this App that I believe can impact thousands of people
After analyzing some alternatives, I realized that I could help improve the experience of people living near the banks of the Rio Doce in my city, as the information regarding the monitoring of flood levels was scarce.
This app will make it easier and more accurate to monitor the river level, allowing people to make decisions in advance, reducing the risks of material and physical losses, as well as lowering stress and anxiety levels among the residents.
Now, I have decided to develop this App that I believe can impact thousands of people
After analyzing some alternatives, I realized that I could help improve the experience of people living near the banks of the Rio Doce in my city, as the information regarding the monitoring of flood levels was scarce.
This app will make it easier and more accurate to monitor the river level, allowing people to make decisions in advance, reducing the risks of material and physical losses, as well as lowering stress and anxiety levels among the residents.
Challenge
Currently, the ANA (National Water Agency), through the National Hydrometeorological Network (RHN), has 4,641 monitoring points divided into stations that track parameters related to the 1,874 rivers in Brazil.
For those living near a river, there is the constant fear of sudden floods that can surprise and flood entire streets and neighborhoods. Some online tools allow for tracking changes in river levels. However, in my research, I discovered that some of them have their data manually added.
The entire experience of these residents is built around alerts issued by the city's civil defense, which are usually broadcast by the media when the river level is already close to overflowing. During a flood, some neighborhoods are affected first, while others do not get flooded, requiring a more personalized and localized approach to the flood risk of each area.
For those living near a river, there is the constant fear of sudden floods that can surprise and flood entire streets and neighborhoods. Some online tools allow for tracking changes in river levels. However, in my research, I discovered that some of them have their data manually added.
The entire experience of these residents is built around alerts issued by the city's civil defense, which are usually broadcast by the media when the river level is already close to overflowing. During a flood, some neighborhoods are affected first, while others do not get flooded, requiring a more personalized and localized approach to the flood risk of each area.
Goals and Objectives
Using UX Research processes, investigate the users' needs by understanding how they relate to changes in the river level and how they track these changes in their daily lives during periods of flood risk; Create conditions for residents to track the river level more accurately, wherever and whenever they are; Provide, through an app, tools and information that enhance the experience of residents in areas near rivers.
Learning from the Users
To understand the impacts that flood risks and actual floods have on the lives of residents near rivers, I developed a quantitative survey that allowed me to better understand how these people were affected by this issue. Although remote research was the primary method at this stage, I had the opportunity to speak directly with some users. These interactions allowed me to explore scenarios and peculiarities I hadn’t considered before, as well as providing a deeper understanding of the impacts and disruptions that floods cause in people's daily lives during flood periods.
Proto personas
The data collected in the previous stage were used to guide the creation of two personas, which served as user models to define criteria for adapting the project and designing the experience journeys.
User Journeys
Based on the personas created, two user journey maps were developed to understand their processes, the paths they take, and to explore the user's mental model and behavior patterns during their experience with the problem.
Early Design Explorations
After observing the user's journey to understand their desires, behavior patterns, and how they experience the problem in their context, this stage involved creating some sketches to explore interface alternatives and discover features that could meet their needs.
To enhance learning at this stage, a navigable prototype was created with the help of the Marvel app, where some preliminary tests were conducted, identifying issues that were addressed in the following stage.
To enhance learning at this stage, a navigable prototype was created with the help of the Marvel app, where some preliminary tests were conducted, identifying issues that were addressed in the following stage.
Detailed Wireframe Development
This title emphasizes the detailed approach you took to the wireframes, aligning to create a comprehensive base for the prototype and user testing. If you'd like something more specific, feel free to let me know!
User Flow
At this stage, I designed the user flow to define and evaluate the sequences of interaction and touchpoints within the app. Even in an app with few features initially, this stage is extremely important to assess whether the flow makes sense for the user. It also serves as one of the development guidelines, as it provides a macro view of all the screens that will be necessary and the actions performed in the product.
User Testing
Using the tool useberry.com, I conducted the tests no moderation, using the wireframes developed in the previous stage, which allowed me to identify areas for improvement and usability issues.
1st Task: View the historical river levels reached throughout the day.
2nd Task: Set up a level alert to be notified by the app if the river reaches the set level.
2nd Task: Set up a level alert to be notified by the app if the river reaches the set level.
Lessons Learned
After conducting usability tests to validate the user experience of the application, I gathered valuable feedback that highlighted several key areas for improvement. During this phase, users interacted with the wireframes developed in the previous stages to perform two main tasks:
• View the historical river levels throughout the day.
• Set up level alerts for notifications.
Test Insights
The tests provided insights into the clarity and effectiveness of the design, revealing both strengths and areas that needed refinement:
The tests provided insights into the clarity and effectiveness of the design, revealing both strengths and areas that needed refinement:
• Main Feature: The main feature was well-received, being clear and direct.
• Historical Data Section: Users found the historical data section confusing, as they didn’t understand that they needed to click on each time slot to view the corresponding river level.
• "Register" Button: The "Register" button lacked sufficient emphasis, making it less noticeable for users.
• Historical Graph: The historical graph was not clear enough to help users easily interpret the time/level relationship.
Next Steps
These insights were crucial for guiding the next steps in refining the app, ensuring a more intuitive and user-friendly experience moving forward.
Final Design
Login and Home
To simplify access and reduce friction during the first use, the app allows users to register using an email address or their Google account. The integration with Google social login was a strategic decision, considering that most users already have a Google account linked to their device, which speeds up the authentication process and enhances the initial user experience.
On the home screen, the user sees the current river level prominently displayed, along with essential supporting information: the previously recorded level, the alert threshold — which serves as a reference to indicate when the situation starts becoming critical — and the overflow threshold. The latter is a fixed value that indicates the point at which certain areas begin to flood. This information is presented in a clear and accessible way, allowing users to monitor the evolving situation in real time and make safer, more informed decisions.
Custom Alert Registration
The app allows users to set up an alert based on a specific river level. Once that value is reached, they receive an automatic notification, which can be sent either through the app or via WhatsApp, ensuring greater safety and information reach.
The alert setup interface is simple and straightforward: the user enters the desired value, views the last registered alert as a reference, and confirms the registration with a single click. Afterwards, a confirmation message reinforces that the alert was successfully created.
This feature makes the experience more personalized and helps users anticipate potential risks related to rising river levels.
Alert History
On this screen, the user can view all previously registered river level alerts, organized in chronological order. Each item displays the set value in meters, along with the registration date. The most recent alert is visually highlighted, making it easier to identify the current monitoring status.
This feature provides transparency and control, allowing users to track their own risk perception over time and adjust their criteria as the situation evolves.
River level history
The app provides an essential tool for monitoring river levels, allowing users to track historical variations through an intuitive bar chart. The visualization can be adjusted by day or week, offering a detailed analysis of changes over time.
The interface is simple and straightforward, highlighting the current river level and providing additional information such as the last recorded level, the alert threshold, and the overflow threshold. These data points help users better understand the river’s situation and make informed decisions, whether for personal safety or preventive planning.
Additionally, the navigation menu makes it easy to access other app features, ensuring a smooth and efficient user experience. With this tool, users can anticipate potential risks and monitor trends in a clear and accessible way.
Direct Channel with Civil Defense
This feature allows the user to communicate directly with Civil Defense through a chat integrated into the app. Through this channel, it is possible to report emergencies, share important information, and receive real-time instructions from the responsible team.
Additionally, Civil Defense can also use this space to send alert messages and preventive guidance, offering faster and more personalized support in critical situations.
