In 2008 a company specializing in intelligent power management began tracking the causes and impacts of power outages in multiple countries and regions. They reported findings using an interactive web application with complex interfaces featuring many layers of undefined graphical data comparisons―and it was built on the Adobe Flash software platform.

My team was initially asked to expand the blackout trackers to two new regions, and because they had grown accustomed to the functionality of the original trackers, our client specifically asked that the new tracker also be built in Flash. Although it was a popular option for interactive web apps in 2008, the advent of mobile technologies combined with the increasing availability of “open standard” alternatives for data exchange/interoperability led to a precipitous drop in Flash content during the intervening years.

Bearing these trends in mind, we instead proposed an alternative plan to:

1. Revise the graphical user interface without sacrificing the existing functionality goals and breadth of data, and
2. Reengineer the trackers (the original set as well as the new regions) using browser and mobile-friendly HTML/CSS, and AngularJS.

At first, our client was reluctant—an understandable reaction; it might seem as if we were inviting the client to purchase unnecessary or more expensive services.

We were transparent about the risks and benefits of both options, and we used reliable, independent data to support our recommendations. We were able to demonstrate that the redesign alternative would not only be cost-effective now and in the future, it would also increase accessibility and usability for all stakeholders and end-users.

I worked closely with the client and the original trackers to understand and document technical and functional requirements. Internally, I worked closely with a designer and developer to improve the UX flow. In the end, we designed, developed, tested, and deployed a cleaner, lightweight, more flexible application that exceeded the client’s expectations.