Enexis is one of or if not "the" largest energy supplier in the Netherlands.
In 2017 Enexis started a complete IT revamp on all departments and create a uniform platform for their onboarding process of new energy construction projects.
Many departments within Enexis are active at the same time on a new project. Over the course of years, all departments within Enexis created their own workflow and tools.
Create a task driving workflow that will facilitate all departments processes in a single platform.
I started out with interviewing product owners from various departments. After some interviews with these product owners we came to a insight. A single Mendix application is not the answer to this problem. Each department had such specific requirements for their tasks. These tasks that vary from filling in forms, ordering parts, planning indoor and outdoor staff or even drawing electric pipelines. This would mean the application would get to unnecessarily heavy instead, we decided to split it up. Every department gets their own application where the specifics are set and we build one portal to host these apps. In this portal, we can host the workflow tasks and all over information related to a single project.
Tools used by departments
Now we had decided all departments got there own applications the fun could begin.
I started with identifying the user roles within these processes. Wich needs and wants did each individual had and how do we translate this?
Is anything missing? Is there also a need to improve outside the application on this workflow? How do these correlate with other departments in the complete process? lots, lots and lots of questions.
Some answers and patterns came to the surface. Every project has a time frame in this time frame are five stages. This gave us a window to dig deeper and asked from PO's which tasks they would see fit in each stage.
Also if these stages hold multiple tasks in which sequence does this needs to happen?
All the communication between departments was done by email and phone.
It was no exception if the planning had some hiccups by missed communication. How can we improve this in the portal?
Conclusion on this stage?
Set out the right tasks in correct sequence and stage to user roles. Set timers on these tasks so it can be observed and prevent delay.
After the research we had done as a team it was time to start wireframing. I had individual sessions with stakeholders to sketch out the task process and how this would visually align. As mentioned before each department has their own set of tasks and workflow for years. Getting them out these habits proved quite a challenge. In the end, we managed to achieve this with wireframes and user testing.
Wireframe of the portal dashboard. Opening a task wil send you towards the application of that department and returns you when completed.
Wireframe of the stages in a project with a tasks overview and management.
Screenshot of the Mendix application in beta stage.
