Oil and gas field workers in the US desert relied on outdated, paper-based systems to manage tasks, often in environments with no internet access. With 15-day shifts away from home, they needed a smarter, more efficient way to organize tasks, track productivity, and enhance safety in high-risk operations. I worked with the product team to design a mobile app that streamlined daily workflows. The app functioned as a smart To-Do List, offering offline capabilities, safety alerts, and seamless data sync. This not only improved efficiency but also helped reduce operational risks.
Year
2021
Role
Designing the end-to-end on mobile and web experiences tailored to extreme field conditions. Brought user-centricity to an industry with low design maturity, delivering high-impact features like offline sync and safety alerts. Also contributed to design system components and design ops rituals within IBM Consulting.
Team & Stakeholders
IBM | Chevron
Offline by Necessity, Not by Choice
In the middle of the desert, refinery field workers face extreme heat, unstable connectivity, and high-risk conditions. Their daily routines depend on quick decisions and precise coordination — yet many still relied on paper forms or outdated systems. The challenge was to rethink fieldwork from the ground up: how could we give them a mobile tool that worked even without internet, felt intuitive under pressure, and kept safety at the center of the experience? Main challenges: • No internet signal in most of the field • Communication gaps between workers and business partners • Need for a pocket-sized, easy-to-use solution • High-risk tasks requiring real-time safety guidance Through rapid user testing, stakeholder workshops, and close collaboration with engineers, we delivered: ✅ Smart Checklists – Task-based lists with built-in safety warnings ✅ Real-time Notifications – Enabling better communication between field teams ✅ Offline Mode – Allowing users to work seamlessly without internet ✅ Sync & Data Tracking – Automatic updates when reconnected
Impact
After launching the first version of the app, we interviewed field workers from the Wells department to understand how the new digital checklist was impacting their day-to-day. Previously, they reported spending around 3 hours completing each task set manually. With the new app, that time dropped significantly to just 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the complexity of the task — saving hours per person, per day, in extreme desert conditions. Beyond speed and usability, the tool also improved safety. Before WellCheck, safety protocols were spread across paper forms or word of mouth, increasing the risk of errors or missed steps. The app provided clear, step-by-step guidance for each activity, including required equipment and safety procedures. As the solution expanded to include safety audits and compliance checks, it enabled a new type of user — safety supervisors — to monitor execution and ensure procedures were being followed. Based on historical data from the company’s own safety reports, this shift was estimated to reduce the risk of field incidents by over 50%. 📉 Saved up to 2.5 hours per checklist 🎯 No training required for new employees 🔄 Eliminated duplicate work 🤝 Improved field communication and team collaboration 🚧 Projected 50%+ decrease in incidents based on internal safety data