break ground scheduling
break ground scheduling
break ground scheduling
block renovation
block renovation
block renovation
ux/ui design
ux/ui design
systems design
systems design
user research
user research
prototyping
prototyping
Scheduling the construction start date is crucial, requiring extensive planning to ensure timely execution. Homeowners must be available, materials need prompt delivery, and contractors with their crew must be ready to proceed.
In its original form, break ground date scheduling is a time-consuming process due to complicated schedule coordination, shifting dates due to internal team complications, and lack of process insight.
Scheduling the construction start date is crucial, requiring extensive planning to ensure timely execution. Homeowners must be available, materials need prompt delivery, and contractors with their crew must be ready to proceed.
In its original form, break ground date scheduling is a time-consuming process due to complicated schedule coordination, shifting dates due to internal team complications, and lack of process insight.
my role
As the sole product designer on this initiative, I took charge of exploring every stage and step needed to ensure a successful break ground. This involved conducting interviews with procurement, permitting, project operations, and interior design teams, as well as gathering insights from homeowners and contractors.
my role
As the sole product designer on this initiative, I took charge of exploring every stage and step needed to ensure a successful break ground. This involved conducting interviews with procurement, permitting, project operations, and interior design teams, as well as gathering insights from homeowners and contractors.
How Can We
How Can We
goal 1
Transfer the responsibility for break ground scheduling, as well as possibly the prep meetings (beyond the initial scope), to the contractors.
goal 1
Transfer the responsibility for break ground scheduling, as well as possibly the prep meetings (beyond the initial scope), to the contractors.
goal 2
Integrate essential break ground features and notifications into our internal software, along with the necessary automations.
goal 2
Integrate essential break ground features and notifications into our internal software, along with the necessary automations.
goal 3
Reduce or eliminate project ops involvement in the break ground scheduling process.
goal 3
Reduce or eliminate project ops involvement in the break ground scheduling process.
User Research
I designed a research plan and discussion guide that aimed to clarify the break ground process at Block, and address any pain points across all parties. I interviewed 2 sales associates, 2 interior designers, 2 procurement associates, 4 project operations and planning associates, 4 contractors, and 4 homeowners. I then mapped the entire renovation process from start to finish in a user journey.
User Research
I designed a research plan and discussion guide that aimed to clarify the break ground process at Block, and address any pain points across all parties. I interviewed 2 sales associates, 2 interior designers, 2 procurement associates, 4 project operations and planning associates, 4 contractors, and 4 homeowners. I then mapped the entire renovation process from start to finish in a user journey.
01
Effective collaboration between homeowners and contractors relies on efficient communication from the contractor's side.
02
The scheduling method should be straightforward and hassle-free.
03
Contractors should receive accurate ground-breaking dates that take into account material lead times and P&A completion.
04
Finding the right balance is key—encouraging contractors to adjust schedules while respecting their autonomy with tech adoption.
01
Effective collaboration between homeowners and contractors relies on efficient communication from the contractor's side.
02
The scheduling method should be straightforward and hassle-free.
03
Contractors should receive accurate ground-breaking dates that take into account material lead times and P&A completion.
04
Finding the right balance is key—encouraging contractors to adjust schedules while respecting their autonomy with tech adoption.
Possible solutions
I thought about two different solutions that could resolve contractor, homeowner and internal team pain points on break ground scheduling. One was a calling-mediated solution that still involved inputting the BG date into the app. Another was a calendar-mediated solution that involved the contractors and homeowners sharing date availability using a calendar feature.
In the end, I opted for the second solution because it allows homeowners to quickly select a date through the dashboard, reducing the need for contractors to have lengthy phone discussions with them.
Possible solutions
I thought about two different solutions that could resolve contractor, homeowner and internal team pain points on break ground scheduling. One was a calling-mediated solution that still involved inputting the BG date into the app. Another was a calendar-mediated solution that involved the contractors and homeowners sharing date availability using a calendar feature.
In the end, I opted for the second solution because it allows homeowners to quickly select a date through the dashboard, reducing the need for contractors to have lengthy phone discussions with them.
Step 1
provide a project’s material longest lead time to inform the bg date
After researching break ground scheduling, it became clear that the longest material lead time needed to be entered into the system to determine a break ground date. This date should be input during procurement and re-evaluated after permitting and approvals. The date flow mirrored existing scheduling processes in our internal software, ensuring easy adoption by teams.
Step 1
provide a project’s material longest lead time to inform the bg date
After researching break ground scheduling, it became clear that the longest material lead time needed to be entered into the system to determine a break ground date. This date should be input during procurement and re-evaluated after permitting and approvals. The date flow mirrored existing scheduling processes in our internal software, ensuring easy adoption by teams.
internal tool prototype
internal tool prototype
Step 2
complete the task in the builder app to schedule a bg date
The break ground scheduling is part of a larger set of tasks contractors must complete to keep the project on track. We carefully considered how the calendar should display available dates, as contractors can only break ground on Mondays and Wednesdays, and dates before the longest material lead time are not feasible. Additionally, no specific time is needed since all break grounds happen in the morning.
contractor app prototype
Step 3
complete the task in the dashboard to confirm the bg date
The break ground scheduling is part of a broader set of tasks homeowners must complete to keep the project moving. I designed the date selection flow to mirror familiar calendar tools like Calendly and Google Calendar. In cases where homeowners and contractors can't agree on a date, the contractor would see an option to contact Block support.
homeowner dashboard prototype
Step 2
complete the task in the builder app to schedule a bg date
The break ground scheduling is part of a larger set of tasks contractors must complete to keep the project on track. We carefully considered how the calendar should display available dates, as contractors can only break ground on Mondays and Wednesdays, and dates before the longest material lead time are not feasible. Additionally, no specific time is needed since all break grounds happen in the morning.
builder mobile app prototype
Step 3
complete the task in the dashboard to confirm the bg date
The break ground scheduling is part of a broader set of tasks homeowners must complete to keep the project moving. I designed the date selection flow to mirror familiar calendar tools like Calendly and Google Calendar. In cases where homeowners and contractors can't agree on a date, the contractor would see an option to contact Block support.
homeowner dashboard prototype
Outcome
Outcome
user testing
user testing
All designs were tested with homeowners, contractors and internal users in interviews.
The tasks were successful on the grounds of usability and completion
Moved forward with dashboard design iterations
Focused on event content, carousel, museum events, and field guides
Moved forward with dashboard design iterations
Focused on event content, carousel, museum events, and field guides
material delivery flow
material delivery flow
Our team intended to include a material delivery scheduling flow in this initiative, but due to engineering constraints, we had to delay the launch of that feature
We could only integrate a few features of the dashboard at a time. Discussion points with engineers involved:
Backend for filtering
Building the save feature
Integrating new styles into the system
We could only integrate a few features of the dashboard at a time. Discussion points with engineers involved:
Backend for filtering
Building the save feature
Integrating new styles into the system
outcome
outcome
The feature reduced project operation customer communications in Kustomer (our communications software) by 10% over the course of 3 months.
The feature reduced project operation customer communications in Kustomer (our communications software) by 10% over the course of 3 months.
