A Skydive jump log for 13.000 Skydivers

Work in progress

Why this project ?

To track skydivers' progress, we still rely on a paper log in France. This paper log has well-known issues like for instance:

  • it is prone to damage ;

  • it can be easily forgotten ;

  • many skydivers no longer fill out their logbooks ;

  • too time-consuming for the value it brings ;

  • it is vulnerable to falsification which could pose serious safety risks for the skydiver.

Consequently, the FFP (French Skydiving Association) aims to create a digitalize logbook and asked me to be in charge of the project.

Vision

(After a design brief workshop with the stakeholders to define the scope of the project, we were able to define a vision and a goal).

What is the vision ? “We want to provide skydivers with an easy and efficient way to record their jumps, ensuring their logbooks are always up to date”.

What is the goal of the project? The objective is to deliver a high-fidelity prototype to the new board committee in 2025, aiming to secure funding for the project's implementation.

Challenges

  • Because of their busy schedule related to skydive activities, I have difficulty in reaching the various stakeholders.

  • The project involves three key personas that must be considered: skydivers (both beginners and experienced), instructors, and school directors.

  • The temptation to take shortcuts and rely solely on my own ideas and assumptions, as I am also a skydiver.

  • The fact that I'm the only UX designer on the project: I don't have a second “UX designer” opinion and no-one to challenge my ideas and proposals.

  • The differences in the way jumps are managed at different schools: some have a computerised system, while others still use a paper-based system.

  • I work on my free time.

My plan

1) Define the Project Scope

  • Educate stakeholders on the goals and processes of UX design.

  • Establish the project scope and vision through a design brief.

  • Create a centralized repository to share data and findings with stakeholders.

  • Select appropriate research methods based on constraints.

  • Conduct a thorough competitive analysis to understand industry benchmarks.

2) User Research & define problem statement

  • Conduct user research to uncover insights and validate assumptions.

  • Analyze the data to identify pain points and define a clear problem statement.

  • Share research findings and insights regularly with stakeholders to keep them informed and engaged.

3) Ideation

  • Facilitate ideation workshops with stakeholders to brainstorm potential solutions.

  • Co-create a “current-state” skydiver journey map for the current paper jump log.

  • Develop user flows (or blueprints) for key use cases.

  • Engage developers early to evaluate the technical feasibility of proposed ideas and solutions.

  • Create wireframes for mobile, tablet, and desktop.

4) Prototyping & testing

  • Build a high-fidelity prototype using tools like Figma and/or React.

  • Test the prototype with users to identify areas for improvement.

  • Iterate on the design based on users’ feedbacks to optimize the solution.

5) Others

  • Prepare a funding proposal aligned with the budget of the French Skydive Association to secure long-term financial support for the project.

Define the project scope

Notes for you

Define the project scope

All notes, ideas, materials, workshops, and presentations are originally in French. Some have already been translated for your convenience, and I will translate the remaining ones progressively.

What I did

Define the project scope

  • A presentation to explain the concept of UX and its importance.

  • A design brief to define the vision and ensure team alignment on the project direction.

You can see the presentation here.

Key takeaways presentation

Define the project scope

I emphasized the following points :

  • The importance of user research to validate our assumptions and minimize the risk of addressing the wrong problem.

  • The importance of the design brief to quickly align on the product we want to build and initiate the project.

Key takeaways design brief

Define the project scope

1) We defined together the ideal version of the product:

“We want to provide skydivers with an easy and efficient way to record their jumps, ensuring their logbooks are always up to date”.

2) We compiled a list of known issues like for instance :

  • The logbook can be easily falsified.

  • Some parachutists have stopped filling out their logbooks, leading to issues when evaluating their skills for certifications.

  • …

3) We have highlighted possible constraints for the project, such as:

  • Scheduling constraints: Difficulty getting everyone together, especially during certain times of the year (e.g., summer).  

  • Budget constraints: There is no guarantee this project will receive funds.

  • …

You can see the design brief here.

Work in progress - coming soon

The project is in progress. I would be happy to present it to you during an interview.