Paper to pixels: Transforming food safety in 3 months
Jolt’s Time and Temperature Logs (TTL) aimed to revolutionize food safety management. We replaced error-prone paper logs with an intuitive digital system, enhancing compliance and reducing workload for delis, buffet-style restaurants, and convenience stores.
I led the design for three key user groups:
- Front-line employees: Quick, accurate mobile logging
- Administrators: Web-based process configuration
- Food safety teams: Real-time comprehensive reporting
Tackling complex challenges
Our solution addressed several critical issues:
- Reducing “gaming”: We designed the system to make it difficult for employees to falsify logs, a common problem with paper forms and some digital tools.
- Enhancing compliance and reducing liability: Our reporting tools helped customers stay compliant with local food safety regulations and minimize legal risks. We discovered that one competitor’s digital tool actually increased liability!
- Integrating with existing systems: We built upon Jolt’s tablet-based native app for employees and web portal for admins, enhancing functionality while leveraging familiar interfaces.
Lean team, tight timeline, big impact
Our agile team of one designer (me), one product manager, and 8+ engineers had just three months to deliver. An executive mandate shifted us from creating a new solution to extending our existing product, demanding creative problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration.
30+ iterations to user experience perfection
I dove deep into user needs:
- Conducted 12+ customer calls for crucial insights
- Created 20+ native app and 15+ web app variable-driven prototype iterations in Figma (Tip: Contact me for a password to the prototypes.)
- Aligned flows with existing technical systems
- Researched FDA guidelines for compliance
- Designed intuitive interfaces for all user types
- Integrated with existing Bluetooth thermometer setups
Exceeding expectations: From pilot to full rollout
Our beta launch was a resounding success:
- 6,000+ logs and 95%+ completion rate across 2 pilot locations in 45 days
- 1 day/week saved for each food safety team member
- Reduced system “gaming”, enhancing compliance
- Implemented flags in reporting to identify potentially concerning behaviors
- Pilot customer committed to full 20-location rollout within 3 months
- Over a dozen prospects expressed strong interest during validation interviews
Market validation and future growth
The enthusiastic response from our pilot customer and strong interest from prospects validated our solution’s market fit:
- Pilot customer transitioned from prospect to committed client
- 12+ potential customers showed great interest during development demos
- Clear pathway to market expansion identified
Key lessons in rapid innovation
- Frequent feedback and rapid prototyping are crucial
- Leveraging existing infrastructure speeds deployment
- Focusing on diverse user needs leads to comprehensive solutions
- Addressing liability concerns can be a key differentiator
- Early customer validation drives product refinement and market acceptance
By combining technology, user-centric design, and industry expertise, we transformed a tedious process into a streamlined digital solution. Our success metrics and strong market interest underscore the power of innovative design in solving real-world problems, paving the way for safer, more efficient food service operations while reducing legal risks and driving business growth.
