Empiric Digital Forms
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Project length: 3 weeks
Empiric aims to showcase the benefits of using cloud-based technology through automation, which involves the digitization of forms and reports for batch performance within the manufacturing industry. Through their new Digital Forms Application, users would be able to quickly and efficiently input values and data in manufacturing forms that are specific to each customer.
Our Challenge
Empiric’s clients, Tier 2 and Tier 3 chemical manufacturers that produce health and beauty products, adhesives, and personal care products regularly fill out two quality checklist forms related to batches for their products: QC Batch Performance Form and OC2000 2-OCA Crude Manufacturing SOP form. These forms are provided to directors and engineers who determine whether the batch performance meets the requirements, and then deem them as useable or sellable.
These forms are filled out manually on printed documents, which can lead to human error and become time-consuming.
Using this information, I crafted a “How Might We” statement to define and narrow the problem we wanted to solve through the “Forms” feature on Empiric’s platform:
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How might we maximize the benefits of transitioning from the process of completing physical forms to the digitization of these forms within Empiric’s platform?
UX Roles
UX Researcher
Information Architecture
UX Designer
Tools
Figma
Jira
Google Drive
USER RESEARCH
To begin my design process, I studied the printed versions of the forms (see images below) and noted design fractures that I observed. I wanted to think about general form design and how I could utilize different design elements to display extensive amounts of data and streamline the process of inputting data values.
Chemence Batch Management QC Test Form
Chemence OC2000 2-OCA Crude Manufacturing SOP Form Page 1
Chemence OC2000 2-OCA Crude Manufacturing SOP Form Page 2
Pain Points
Lack of variation in type and color
Some fields are more important than others, yet there is little distinction made between them other than the use of red bolded text. Moving through the table becomes difficult, and this can subsequently overwhelm operators who are working under pressure to complete SOP forms in a timely manner.
Too many varying categories of data
The current forms rely on tables to convey information that must be written in, and these tables often include repeating fields such as dates/times. This can produce human error and increase the time it takes to complete these forms.
User Interviews
I worked with Empiric’s co-founder and former process engineer, Dan Nguyen, to obtain a user’s perspective of filling out the batch performance forms. Through his experience designing SOP forms, he was able to provide me with an example of a filled out form with specific values that guided me in using the appropriate design elements to aid operators in inputing information quickly.
From our interview, we came up with a list of goals we wanted to achieve from utilizing the digitized form process:
minimize the number of clicks and actions operators had to perform to limit human error
implement guardrails (e.g. autopopulate information based on user settings or recycling of old elements)
mold the form to utilize the functionality of the platform
make the form more efficient without diminishing its importance
IDEATION
I started thinking about how forms are digitized and common design features that I could incorporate to organize the tabular information in a clean, user-friendly manner:
drop downs
input fields
conditional fields
automation (date and time)
use of familiar and clickable elements such as icons
indicate what information is needed from users to proceed
colors that convey feedback and results of value input
Using this list, I sketched possible layouts and labeled features that I wanted the digitized form to have.
Batch Management QC Test Form
OC2000 2-OCA Crude Manufacturing SOP Forms
PROTOTYPE
Mid Fidelity
Batch Management QC Test Forms
OC2000 2-OCA Crude Manufacturing SOP Forms
High-fidelity
Batch Management QC Test Forms
Improvements
Automated fields
The number of clicks and fields that users have to input are minimized using automated fields such as the date/time and the “Batch Tested By” and “QC Review By” fields that autopopulate based on the user currently signed into the platform.
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Colors for related groups and feedback
Users can easily identify and differentiate between characteristics that are grouped under different LTP-INC numbers.
Users receive automated feedback on whether their input values meet the specifications of the batch requirements in the “Outcome” column, eliminating the need for another field to be filled out
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Icons
Users can easily recognize icons for date and time that indicate what information they need to input.
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Vertical layout and left alignment of text
Users can navigate through tabular information more quickly using a clear and legible design.
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OC2000 2-OCA Crude Manufacturing SOP Forms
Improvements
Drop-downs
Users can quickly choose from a list of operators that are stored in Empiric’s database.
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In-line SOPs
Users have a way to reference the associated SOP step as they are inputting values and completing the procedure without having to switch between the form and the entire 10-page SOP document.
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Uniform input fields
Users gain a sense of visual consistency and simplicity when navigating through the process of completing the form.
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Highlighted instructions for specific SOPs
Users can easily read the highlighted and bolded descriptions for the sub-steps within each SOP, which contain important information about specific external and internal conditions within the manufacturing process.
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USER FEEDBACK
After creating the first mockup for the Batch Management QC Test forms, we had one of Chemence users, Justin Goldberg, test our prototype. He explained how he would proceed through each portion of the form and advised us to make small changes that would improve the overall efficiency of completing these forms.
He suggested utilizing more auto-populated elements, such as when choosing the sample type in the Batch Management QC Test Form. In addition, we eliminated a drop-down element when filling out the Batch Number and MO Number in the OC2000 2-OCA Crude Manufacturing SOP Form and converted it to a text input field.
Final Prototype
CONCLUSION
Challenges and Takeaways
I felt that the research portion of this process was the most challenging due to my lack of expertise in using SOP forms. I relied on the knowledge of my team to help me understand how each checklist was completed and the different types of data values that were included. Since I was unable to interview operators within Chemence’s factory due to time constraints, I relied on the testimonies of Empiric’s team who were familiar with Chemence’s manufacturing process to generate a list of pain points I aimed to tackle in my redesign of the form.
While Empiric looks to receive funding to implement this new feature into their platform, this project has provided them with the necessary validation for customer’s needs that is integral to product integration, management, and development. I was able to collaborate with Chemence representatives and Empiric’s product team to create mockups based on requirements and assets.
Empiric was able to present these mockups to other manufacturing companies including Apollo Chemistry and Southern Chemistry & Textiles, who were also interested in the potential of the product.
Next Steps
If I had more time, I would like to test my mid-fidelity prototype with operators and factory managers to ensure that I am making the appropriate design choices that are centered around my user’s abilities and thinking.
I would also like to begin learning how to develop my mockups into a fully-functional feature using computer languages, and possibly incorporating animation within my prototypes as well.