Rapid Prototyping: Self-Service PV Configurator for Regional Utility
The Challenge
The leading regional utility (serving >1.5 million people) needed a simple, intuitive, and mobile-first web tool allowing potential PV customers, including less tech-savvy older demographics, to easily configure solar panel systems and get initial estimates.
Approach & Execution
Project Overview
The primary utility company in the region required a user-friendly online tool for potential photovoltaic (PV) customers. Key goals were mobile accessibility and ease of use, particularly for older homeowners, to allow self-service system configuration and lead generation.
Work Done (8-Week Sprint)
- Focused Workshops: Facilitated targeted workshops with client stakeholders to quickly define core functionality and user needs.
- Agile Requirements: Rapidly authored user requirements and detailed user stories suitable for immediate development sprints.
- Mobile-First UX Design: Designed intuitive, step-by-step user workflows optimized for mobile devices and accessibility.
- Persona Development: Created specific user personas, including elderly homeowners, to ensure design decisions catered to the target audience’s technical comfort levels.
- Detailed Mock-ups: Produced high-fidelity mock-ups of the configurator interface for all key steps.
Deliverables
- User Personas (including non-technical users).
- UX flow diagrams and detailed UI mock-ups.
- A prioritized backlog of Agile user stories.
- Complete product specification ready for development handover.
Solution Overview
Led an intensive 8-week design and requirements phase. Facilitated focused client workshops, rapidly developed Agile user stories and requirements, designed user-friendly workflows optimized for mobile, and created detailed UI mock-ups for the self-service configurator.
Key Results & Impact
- Delivered complete product design specifications, including UX flows and mockups, within the tight 8-week deadline.
- Created user personas specifically addressing the needs of elderly and non-technical users.
- Provided development-ready Agile user stories for efficient implementation.