Climate Risk Digital Tool
Role
UX Designer
Client
Australian Federal Government,
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Duration
2023 — 3 months
The Problem
Organisations struggled with assessing climate risks due to reliance on manual inputs, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies. There was also a lack of guidance to navigate complex climate data without expertise, emphasising the need for a digital solution with to simplify and standardise the process.
The Solution
To improve environmental initiatives and support decision making, we developed a user friendly tool that incorporated collaborative features, whilst ensuring AAA accessibility, relevant resources were added and government compliance standards were met.
This project positioned Australia as a leader
in digital climate risk solutions.
The Process
I was the sole UX designer and was involved in the first 4 phases of the engagement.
Research and Discovery
I participated in brainstorming sessions led by the directors of my team and climate change SMEs, following with analysing the workflows and understanding the pain points of manual risk assessments.Design and Iteration
I created wireframe prototypes in Figma to map out the user journey, presenting internally to the partners, directors, tech team and internal SMEs daily, ensuring the design decisions I was making were both feasible and viable. I also presented twice weekly, discussing design decisions and making refinements based on feedback.Usability Testing
I conducted six user testing sessions over three days with 7 participants, followed by a UX verification report which detailed key insights and recommendations. The key findings were:
- Enhanced guidance features to help users navigate the tool more intuitively.
- Navigational improvements for a smoother user flow.
- Increased visibility of interactive elements to reduce confusion.
- Smoother linkages between tool sections for a seamless experience.Design Handoff
In this final phase I worked with a UI designer to ensure the designs met AAA accessibility standards, and then completed a formal handover.
The Impact
Live government tool: this project resulted in a fully deployed digital tool, accessible here.
Increased efficiency: having a streamlined workflow significantly reduced the time it takes for assessments.
Positive environmental impact: this tool empowers organisations to make informed climate risk decisions, positioning Australia as a trailblazer in digital sustainability solutions.