Problem

The original internal Decision Tree tool within APRICOT was functional but presented significant usability and scalability challenges for process engineers and data scientists. Right-side panels consumed excessive screen space, node types were difficult to enable or move, and flow sheets lacked organization and edit history. The system also struggled to scale with new node types and properties, while missing essential usability features such as drag-and-drop interactions and streamlined file management. These issues slowed down workflows, limited adoption, and made the tool less marketable for clients

Solution

To address these challenges, I led a research-driven redesign of the Decision Tree tool as UI/UX Engineer and Product Manager. I began by gathering user feedback to identify pain points, then developed iterative prototypes to test improvements. Early MVPs introduced a dedicated file menu, a scalable canvas, and edit history tracking. High-fidelity prototypes refined usability further by moving file menus to the top, organizing nodes and job setup menus at the bottom, and adding a history feature for versioning. Final updates included drag-and-drop node creation, contextual back buttons, and a unified home tab for actions like saving, loading, and exporting files. While a comment and notification system was considered, it was deprioritized in favor of improvements that directly enhanced usability and scalability.

I developed a product roadmap and UX plan that aligned both technical requirements and user experience goals. I started by gathering feedback through workshops and sticky-note brainstorming sessions, capturing pain points such as limited screen space, hidden node menus, lack of edit history, and the need for better organization and scalability. From these findings, I structured a roadmap that divided priorities into clear phases: immediate usability fixes (e.g., canvas resizing, file menus, node organization), mid-term enhancements (e.g., edit logs, simulation configurations, flow chart integrations), and long-term scalability features (e.g., alarm notifications, annotations, cross-platform integration). Alongside this, I built a UX plan that emphasized iterative prototyping, user validation with process engineers, and close collaboration with the outsourced development team to ensure feasibility.

Esther Bryce

Founder / Interior designer

Final Versions of DT

Outcomes

The redesigned Decision Tree successfully resolved major bottlenecks and improved both internal workflows and client-facing applications. Engineers could now create and edit flows more efficiently using intuitive drag-and-drop functionality and organized menus, while scalability improvements made it easier to add new node types and configurations without cluttering the interface. The introduction of log history and version tracking reduced rework and improved collaboration across teams. These enhancements made the tool easier to adopt and directly supported Geolocation-based pipeline analysis, leak detection, and automated reporting workflows for clients.