DAMPSOFT: UX Consulting and UI Conceptualisation for Dental Practice Software

UI Designer·2020·5 people·2 min read

Several months of freelance UX consulting. Design drafts were introduced into internal decision-making processes. A follow-up project (icon development) was initiated.

Overview

DAMPSOFT develops practice management software for dental practices (DS4). The company is based in Damp (Germany).

Problem

DAMPSOFT was in an active development phase with DS4 and was seeking external UX expertise to evaluate and further develop the existing interface. Internally, there were Product Owners and a Solutions Architect, but no dedicated UX capacity. The goal was to identify weaknesses in the UI, conduct use-case-based analyses, and develop design alternatives.

Constraints

  • Dental practice software is a regulated, complex domain with specific terminology
  • strict data security requirements, and high demands for efficiency in everyday practice
  • Limited budget
  • Differents perspectives on UI inhouse

Approach

Analysis of the DS4 UI for usability weaknesses and participation in internal scenario reviews together with Product Owners and specialist staff (e.g., periodontal charting, treatment and cost plan creation). Feedback sessions with the product management team.

Project deliverables

UX Review and Findings

Analysis of the DS4 UI for usability weaknesses. Participation in internal scenario reviews together with Product Owners and specialist staff (e.g., periodontal charting, treatment and cost plan creation). Feedback sessions with the product management team.

UI Conceptualisation and Visualisation

Development of design alternatives and drafts based on identified weaknesses. Competitor comparison: Screenshots and concept proposals compared to competing products Drafts for specific UI areas (periodontal charting, other modules).

Icon Development

Request for a visual refresh of the existing DS4 product (product icons) and consulting and conceptualisation in the area of icon design.

Process Involvement

Integration into internal decision-making processes: Participation in team meetings with development, product management, and UX specialists and coordination with the Solutions Architect regarding the technical feasibility of design changes.

Design disciplines

  • UI
  • UX
  • Consulting

Result & Impact

  • 40% (from 250ms to 150ms p95)
    Latency Reduction
  • 52 services in 5 weeks
    Services Migrated
  • No client-facing issues during migration
    Zero Incidents

The new gateway has become a platform for cross-cutting concerns like rate limiting, authentication, and observability. Developer velocity has increased significantly.

Learnings

  • UX expertise in a complex specialist domain
  • rapid familiarisation with medical software, specialist terminology, and specific usage scenarios
  • Rapid familiarisation with this domain was a prerequisite for meaningful UX feedback.
  • Direct line to the divisional management (authorised signatory) and the development team simultaneously
Dampsoft
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