Challenge

Skycision’s web app was primarily designed as a tool to quickly spot inconsistencies/threats. Once a potential problem area is identified by Skycision's imaging, farmers need to scout, take samples, and conduct tests to determine how to take action. Often the problem areas are re-occurring and need to be monitored. Skycision knew they needed a tool to help farmers in the field, but were unsure on features and UI. 

Solution

The solution was a mobile app that allows users to execute scheduled drone flights and does not overlap with existing farm management software.

Approach

Skycision was partnering with the farm management company, Renteria Vineyard Management. Renteria would sell Skycision's tools as an addition to their existing farm management service. I needed to understand how Skycision’s tools would integrate with their channel partner's requirements.

I interviewed Renteria's management and lower level employees to map out user touchpoints and create mental models of their motivations, behaviors, pain points and needs.

Combined User Flow

To optimize resources, Renteria prioritizes it resources to historical problem areas and the level of monitoring is based on severity of the crop threat. I mapped out a combined user flow starting with a know problem area.

Blue Boxes - Where Skycision's software fits in

Red Outline - Overlap with AgCode Software

Viticulturists & Regional Supervisors

Viticulturists are similar to doctors. Instead of people, their patients are grape vines. Once a threat is identified, such as disease or irrigation issue, viticulturists prescribe a solution. Viticulturalists and Supervisor activities were primarily in an office setting and needed larger screens to view maps. Therefore, a desktop interface made the most sense for the Skycision Web App.

Scouts

Scouts are similar to nurses or x-ray technicians. Their job is collect data. Scouts' activities were in the field: visiting crops, recording data and taking pictures with their iPhone. Many farms had low service. A native mobile app made the most sense.

WireFraming and Prototyping

Scouts already used a note taking app that synced with payroll, so to avoid overlap and repetitive data entry, the first app iteration was designed to help Scouts execute and manage drone flights as "prescribed" by Viticulturists.

Flight User Flow