Using the discovery insights as a guide, during the initial design phase, I focused on defining structure, reducing mental load and simplifying task flows.

Defining structure

One of the key discovery insights was that end users would prefer to engage with this healthcare intervention as a mobile app instead of a dense, paper booklet.

But, how do you even begin converting a 150-page paper document into a simple, streamlined mobile app?

Wrangling large amounts of information is a challenge I love. For sense-making problems, my go-to approach is the OOUX (object-oriented UX) methodology that maps system objects and how they interact. The OOUX Object Map is powerful tool for understanding the current state of the system, while also identifying how, where and when the system can improve over time.

I built the Object Map to identify the fundamental components and high-level interactivity of the system using ORCA:

• Objects - What things make up the system?

• Relationships - How will users navigate between the objects?

• CTAs - What actions can a user take on each object?

• Attributes - What content and metadata are included within each object in the system?

This Object Map evolved throughout the project and was instrumental in helping our team align on the basic information ecosystem of the app. It also facilitated important team conversations about the overall business strategy, information architecture, and design approach.

Reducing Mental Load

The original paper intervention, while informational, was very dense with text, making it difficult to digest. This would be very problematic in mobile format, so it was important to distill the content down to its simplest form. I worked directly with stakeholders on ways to distill the content, while keeping the fundamentals of the intervention.

The top goals were:

• define the information architecture within each Module

• reduce text while keeping the essence of the intervention

• create a more engaging experience that would retain users’ attention.

To achieve these goals, I transformed the more traditional writing structure of the paper workbook into a simple, supportive narrative that resonates with patients of IBS.

During the process, I referred to the information structure defined in the Object Map. The intervention content was organized into Module objects, with Lessons and Activities being nested objects within the Modules. Our team worked directly with the medical stakeholders to categorize the content into 15 Modules (8 core, 7 optional), using findings from the clinical research and the user research studies to prioritize content.

After categorizing the content into Modules, Lessons and Activities, I began chunking and further distilling the information. Then I moved the content into screen wireframes where I could experiment with the sequencing of the information.

I collaborated with the creative team throughout the design of a medium-fidelity prototype, determining how the users will move through each section, keeping in mind the key discovery insights that users want their daily interaction with the intervention to be simple, fast and impactful.

Simplifying Task Flows

We learned from the user research that the existing program is too task heavy, requiring patients to spend time flipping through paper, bookmarking pages and making copies of forms. I looked for ways to simplify flows and reduce user time spent wayfinding.

The Sleep Tracking task flow is one example. The intervention recommends that the optimal time to log sleep details is first thing after waking in the morning, but the original intervention is too time-consuming.

The original flow was too lengthy and left lots of room for frustration and abandonment. Patients must track their sleep when they first awake, but it often required finding the right page, making a new copy of the form and manually reviewing the data across forms to identify trends.

In the redesigned flow, patients receive a notification on their mobile device when waking up. They tap on the notification taking them directly to that day's digital form. They complete the form and can either close the app or quickly view the real-time sleep report.

The result - no more finding forms, no more copies, no more searching for trends!