Overview
The Pandemic Management Systems Project was initiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates. This project aimed to design a comprehensive system to predict and simulate various scenarios, aiding policymakers in making informed decisions to control the virus spread.
ROLE & DURATION
Lead Product Designer | Saal.ai
UX Research, Design Strategy, UX Design, Visual Design, Data Visualization, Information Architecture
March 2020 – Dec 2021
The Problem
The Pandemic Management Systems Project was confronted with multifaceted challenges during the COVID-19 crisis in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. These challenges required a comprehensive approach to ensure effective pandemic management and public safety.
Determining the availability of healthcare resources in Abu Dhabi, including medical staff, PPE, medications, hospital beds, ICUs, and quarantine facilities to effectively manage COVID-19 cases.
Developing models to predict COVID-19 spread under various scenarios, considering parameters like social measures and healthcare capacity, aiding in strategic planning and response.
Establishing reliable communication channels for accurate COVID-19 information, combating fake news, and educating the public to ensure informed and safe practices during the pandemic.
User Research
In the Pandemic Management Systems Project, a pivotal aspect of our approach was conducting comprehensive user research. This process was integral in understanding the diverse and complex needs of various stakeholders involved in pandemic management.
To gain a deeper insight into their challenges and expectations, I organized a series of remote workshops. These workshops brought together professionals from different domains, including healthcare, disaster management, and communication. By engaging directly with these experts, we were able to gather authentic user inputs, which were crucial in shaping our design process.
The insights collected from these sessions were categorized into three primary areas through card sorting: Healthcare Capacity Assessment, Simulation of Infection Spread Scenarios, and Addressing Public Concerns and Combating Misinformation.
Qualitative Interviews
In our endeavor to enhance the effectiveness of the Pandemic Management System, I conducted in-depth discussions with key stakeholders involved in pandemic response and management. These qualitative interviews were instrumental in gaining a nuanced understanding of their firsthand experiences, challenges, and needs.
“Accurate, real-time data is crucial for us to predict trends and manage outbreaks effectively.”
“We need a system that dynamically aligns medical resources with patient care demands.”
“It’s essential to have a tool that helps us make informed decisions rapidly during health crises.”
“Understanding the pandemic’s impact on the economy is vital for balanced policy-making.”
“Reliable and accessible information is key for us to feel safe and stay informed during the pandemic.”
Insights
Based on the data gathered from research and qualitative interviews, I have distilled key insights into four categories. These insights are instrumental in guiding our design process to align closely with user needs, expectations, and requirements, thereby ensuring the optimal functionality of the Pandament Management Systems Project.
These insights underscored the complexity of the pandemic response and the need for a well-coordinated, data-informed approach to manage the health crisis effectively.
User Profiles
In the development of the Pandemic Management Systems Project, a deep understanding of our diverse user base was paramount. Through comprehensive research, including workshops and interviews, I identified key user groups directly impacted by and involved in pandemic management. Recognizing the distinct roles and needs of Epidemiologists, Medical Directors, Policymakers, Economists, and Citizens has been crucial in designing a system that effectively addresses the specific challenges and requirements of each group.
Epidemiologist
Specializes in disease pattern analysis and scenario planning.
Tasks Performed:
– Tweak parameters and interventions to build and understand different pandemic scenarios.
– Develop and compare multiple scenarios to determine the most effective approach.
– Analyze infection spread rates across various scenarios.
Medical Director
Oversees medical care and resource management in healthcare settings.
Tasks Performed:
– Evaluate the capability of medical infrastructure to provide necessary care under different scenarios.
– Assess demand for various types of hospital beds based on patient needs.
– Monitor the availability of medical staff, including doctors and nurses.
Policymaker
Responsible for decision-making and policy formulation for public health.
Tasks Performed:
– Decide on the establishment of rapid COVID testing centers as required.
– Convert hospitals to COVID centers based on scenario demands.
– Implement and manage public health measures, including sanitization programs and travel restrictions.
Economist
Analyzes economic impact and trade-offs in public health scenarios.
Tasks Performed:
– Assess the economic impact of various pandemic scenarios on businesses.
– Evaluate the trade-off between public health measures and economic implications.
– Provide insights into economic policies and strategies during the pandemic.
Citizens
General public affected by and responding to pandemic measures.
Tasks Performed:
– Seek reliable and accessible information on pandemic status and safety measures.
– Comply with public health guidelines and adapt to changing scenarios.
– Provide feedback on public health initiatives and their impact on daily life.
Conceptualization
In the conceptualization phase of the Pandament Management Systems Project, we acknowledged the urgency and dynamic nature of the pandemic situation. The project’s criticality dictated a swift rollout of features, commencing just two weeks post kick-off. To effectively manage this rapid deployment while ensuring comprehensive coverage of essential functionalities, we strategically divided the project into three key services: Capacity Planning | Pandemic Simulator | Website & Chatbot for General Public
Capacity Planning
A data analysis-driven capacity planning tool dedicated to balancing the availability of beds, staff, and other resources with patient demand. The capacity planning tool forecasts if a patient surge will occur, provides critical insight to make well-informed decisions, and anticipates if/when demand will exhaust
resources.
Pandemic Simulator
A Predictive modeling and scenario planning tool, to help policymakers anticipate future scenarios which would facilitate adequate healthcare resource planning. The tool makes projections of several infections, recoveries, etc. It can create multiple simulations and hypothetical scenarios based on varying inputs to assess the impact and ease of rules and regulations.
Website and Chatbot for General Public
This platform serves as a reliable hub for the latest pandemic-related updates, guidelines, and resources, ensuring the public has access to accurate and timely information. The integrated chatbot is designed to provide real-time assistance, addressing immediate queries and concerns of the citizens. This digital tool not only facilitates direct communication with the public but also plays a critical role in managing and dispelling misinformation
In the conceptualization phase I developed a robust information architecture and crafted low-fidelity concepts for the primary use cases, a process greatly informed by the insights gathered from our extensive user research. This stage was crucial in translating these insights into practical, user-centric design solutions.
Crucial to this phase was the collaboration with subject matter experts (SMEs), AI and data science teams played a significant role, whose specialized knowledge and insights were instrumental in enriching the data visualization. Working closely with these teams allowed us to leverage advanced technologies and analytical methods to enhance the application’s capabilities. Their expertise in AI and data science was pivotal in helping me understand sophisticated models for scenario simulation, capacity planning, and predictive analytics.
This collaboration ensured that our application was not only intuitive and user-friendly but also backed by cutting-edge technology and data-driven insights, making it a powerful tool in pandemic management and decision-making processes.
The Solution
In tackling the formidable challenge of managing the multifaceted aspects of a health crisis, our solution for the Pandemic Management System was centered around creating a comprehensive and dynamic response platform. This system was meticulously designed to integrate various data sources, simulate scenarios, and provide real-time information, effectively transforming intricate pandemic data into clear, actionable insights.
Scenario Simulation Tool
Enables users to model and analyze various pandemic scenarios, examining the effects of different public health interventions. The basic and advanced dashboards are catered to analysts of different levels.
The parameters, interventions, and other data manipulation factors help the modelers to build scenarios and save them for later publishing reports or comparison with other hypothetical scenarios.
Capacity Planning Tool
The dashboards provide real-time insights into the load on the healthcare system by analyzing
infection rates and resource utilization including medication, ventilators, PPEs, bed occupancy, and staffing.
The design allows users to get a holistic view, from information related to an emirate to the availability of a particular medication.
Website, Mobile App and Chat Bot
for General Public
A dedicated portal for the public to access up-to-date, reliable pandemic information and health guidelines. was designed along with a mobile app. Both web site and mobile app feature a chatbot to answer any query related to COVID-19.
Results
The Pandemic Management Systems Project has yielded remarkable outcomes, significantly influencing Abu Dhabi’s pandemic response. Here, we encapsulate the key results, showcasing how our solution has not only met but exceeded expectations, enhancing public health management and safety in the face of a global crisis.
Showcase
The success and innovation of the Pandemic Management Systems Project transcended beyond its immediate impact, garnering significant attention on a global stage. Presented by the Department of Health at various international technology exhibitions, the application was met with widespread acclaim, highlighting its effectiveness and ingenuity in pandemic management.
Foundational Framework for Broader Disease Management
The project’s success has laid the groundwork for a more expansive disease management system. This evolved system is designed to track and monitor multiple diseases, extending the application’s utility far beyond COVID-19.
Project Learnings
As a product designer, I’m humbled to be a part of this project. The Pandemic Management Systems Project has been a journey rich with insights and valuable experiences. Here, we reflect on the key learnings gained throughout the project, which have implications for future initiatives in public health and technology:
Agility in Development: The urgency of the pandemic taught us the importance of rapid development and deployment. Agile methodologies proved crucial in adapting to evolving requirements and delivering timely solutions.
Effective Risk Management in Health Crises: The project emphasized the importance of effective risk management during health emergencies. Addressing risks related to rapid development, data security, and misinformation was crucial.
Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Approach: Working closely with healthcare professionals, data scientists, and AI experts demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. This approach enriched the project with diverse perspectives and expertise.
Scalability and Adaptability: The project underscored the importance of building scalable and adaptable systems, capable of accommodating unforeseen changes, such as varying disease dynamics or new user requirements.
Impact of Clear Communication: Effective communication strategies, especially in remote environments both within the team and with the public, were key to the project’s success. This includes transparent sharing of information and responsiveness to feedback.
Global Reach and Societal Impact: The project’s recognition at global forums reminded us of the potential for technological solutions to have a far-reaching impact on society, beyond their immediate context.
