United States Geological Survey (USGS)
Modernizing Field Data Collection for Hydrologists
ROLE
Sole UI/UX Designer
YEARS
2023-2026
The United States Geological Survey relied on multiple aging tools to support fieldwork, forcing hydrologists to switch between applications for inspections, sensor readings, trip tracking, and data collection. Our team set out to consolidate these workflows into a single modern application that reduced complexity and improved efficiency in the field.
THE PROBLEM
Hydrologists relied on several independent applications to complete their daily work. While each tool served a purpose, the fragmented experience created inefficiencies and increased cognitive load.
THE SOLUTION
One Application. Many Workflows.
I designed the Unified Field Application (UFA), a centralized platform that combined key hydrologist workflows into a single experience.
The new solution allowed users to:
-
Manage site visits from one location
-
Record sensor readings and inspections
-
Track trips and field activities
-
Reduce navigation between systems
-
Complete tasks more efficiently in the field
BACKGROUND
Supporting the Nation's Water Science Mission
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior responsible for monitoring and studying the nation's natural resources, ecosystems, and hazards. A key part of this mission involves collecting water data from thousands of monitoring locations across the country. Hydrologists regularly visit these sites to inspect equipment, record measurements, and ensure the accuracy of data used for scientific research, environmental management, infrastructure planning, and public safety.
Over time, the digital tools supporting these field operations were developed independently, resulting in multiple applications with overlapping functionality and inconsistent user experiences. As fieldwork became increasingly reliant on technology, USGS recognized the need for a modern solution that could streamline workflows and reduce complexity. The Unified Field Application (UFA) initiative was launched to consolidate these legacy systems into a single platform, creating a more efficient and cohesive experience for hydrologists in the field.
RESEARCH
Learning From Subject Matter Experts
Unlike consumer products, UFA served highly specialized users with complex workflows. With this being the case, I conducted user research with the stakeholders to get a full understanding of the legacy products and vision for the UFA.
Key Insights
Going through these workflows with the stakeholders unveiled clear pain-points and what improvements can be made to improve the hydrologists daily work.
Legacy Product Workflow Walkthroughs
This is the result of one of the walkthroughs for just groundwater levels.
The stakeholders were fantastic resources into the day-to-day workflow of hydrologists working in the field as they used to be in that role themselves. I utilized that information by having them take me through each application they use and each workflow that we will be replicating in the UFA.
We started with SVMAC, the application that facilitates groundwater level testing and sensor inspection. Going screen by screen I was able to map out large-scale workflows to be able to reference when designing later on.
Pain-Points
-
Inconsistent UI when working within different applications
-
Workflows were not intuitive to a new user
-
No options to fix mistakes once they are submitted
-
Activities cannot be completed simultaneously
Areas for Improvement
-
Utilize a modern design system with reusable UI components
-
Add support components such as tooltips as much as possible
-
Give the users an option to review their work and make edits
-
Create a clear way to view all ongoing activities and be able to hop between them
IDEATION
Exploring Workflow Structures
Before moving into visual design, I focused on understanding how different workflows could be consolidated.
This involved:
-
Mapping current-state workflows
-
Identifying overlap between legacy tools
-
Creating user flows
-
Reviewing options with stakeholders
Because users were highly knowledgeable about their work, collaborative feedback sessions became a critical part of the ideation process.
Many decisions were refined through discussion and rapid iteration rather than lengthy documentation.
DESIGN
Turning Complexity Into Clarity
Once workflow structures were approved, I began translating concepts into wireframes and high-fidelity designs.
The design process included:
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Used to validate:
-
Information architecture
-
Navigation structure
-
Workflow sequencing
-
Task completion paths
High-Fidelity Designs
Built using Material Design to provide:
-
Consistency
-
Accessibility
-
Scalability
-
Familiar interaction patterns
Building a Scalable Design System
Because the Unified Field Application was designed to replace multiple legacy systems and support future functionality, establishing a scalable design system became a critical part of the project. I leveraged Material Design as a foundation and created reusable components, patterns, and interaction standards that could be applied consistently across the application.
This approach accelerated development, improved design consistency, and made it easier to introduce new features without creating additional complexity. By prioritizing scalability early, the team was able to build a foundation that supports both current user needs and the long-term evolution of the platform.
TESTING & ITERATIONS
Continuous Feedback Shaped the Product
Stakeholders were deeply involved throughout the project.
Rather than waiting until the end of the design phase, we reviewed concepts continuously and iterated based on feedback.
Key improvements included:
-
Refining navigation structures
-
Simplifying inspection workflows
-
Improving information hierarchy
-
Clarifying field data entry experiences
-
Reducing unnecessary interactions
RESULTS
A Successful Launch and Continued Investment
The first version of the Unified Field Application launched successfully and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from stakeholders.
Outcomes included:
-
Consolidation of multiple legacy workflows
-
Improved usability for field personnel
-
Strong stakeholder adoption
-
Positive user feedback following launch
-
Designation as USGS's highest-priority project moving forward
FINAL THOUGHTS
Learning How to Design Within Real-World Constraints
What I Learned: This project reinforced the importance of deeply understanding users before designing solutions. Working closely with hydrologists and subject matter experts allowed me to uncover the nuances of their workflows, validate decisions early, and create a product grounded in real-world needs. It also strengthened my ability to balance user needs, business goals, and technical constraints while designing a scalable foundation that could support the application's future growth.
What I'm Most Proud Of: I'm most proud of helping transform a collection of disconnected legacy tools into a unified platform that supports critical field operations across the country. Through close collaboration with stakeholders, developers, and end users, we created an experience that simplified complex workflows while laying the groundwork for future enhancements. Seeing the application successfully launch and become a strategic priority for USGS was a rewarding example of the impact thoughtful, user-centered design can have on enterprise software.