ExxonMobil – Upstream IT

Upstream IT

I’m proud to have had the opportunity to work in the UX team for the Computational Modeling & Data Sciences. I was part of the User Experience transformation in Upstream IT.

  • My Role: UX Designer & Researcher
  • Category: exxonmobil-upstream-it
  • Year: 2019-2020

My role

My role was a User Experience Designer and Data Architect for Upstream IT. I was involved with conducting user interviews, creating the current flow, low fidelity wireframes, prototyping, and testing. I was responsible for creating high fidelity wireframes for the developers.

Overview

The Database was one of the first cases of true UX integration with a project team in the company.

The project had two phases divided in 14 sprints. We used the same methodology to find the solution to each problem. Our users were Developer Planners, Drilling Managers, and Reservoir Engineers.

The goal of this high priority project was to centralize and standardize inputs and outputs for the region asset team. The focus was on data handoff between other region development planners and interface engineers and managing development plan inputs or templates.

The project stakeholder’s goal was to automate the process. We were tasked with automating just 1% of the process, to improve efficiency and reduce the cost.

The process

Our methodology was Design Thinking, which includes four key steps; 1) Discovery 2) Definition, 3) Develop, and 4) Deliver.

Discovery & Definition

In this first step, we practiced divergent thinking (understanding the problem). This means we opened our minds and considered everything about our user without any constraints.

We then created a customer journey to map. Our first map was extremely complex and it was difficult to find a pattern.

After several interview sessions with users, we created an affinity map to synthesize the pain points that were identified. We grouped these problems under common themes and features.

When we understood the user’s process and pain points, we started to use convergent thinking. Convergent thinking focuses on key areas, starting to intersect on specific experiences within the customer journey. As a team, we considered the user’s positive experiences, but also the pain points.

Piece by piece, interview by interview, we started building the puzzle until we had created something that worked well for the user. Once there was alignment, we created low fidelity wireframes to delimit what our MVP would be.

Develop & Deliver: Prototype & Test

Various scenarios were created in a prototyping tool that would be used for usability testing. Usability testing sessions were conducted with the primary users to validate whether the new designs would solve their problems.

During the sessions, I observed how they interacted with the prototype and gathered feedback from the users. Based on the feedback I made changes to prototype. The final designs were sent to the developers.

Results and takeaways

In only 24 hours of its launch there were 1,000 registered entries. Now the users have the ability to enter, approve, and analyze information. Overall the new system has been continuously receiving positive feedback.