From One-Off Tool to Connected Platform
“Our goal wasn’t to build another feature — it was to make HOVER integral to how pros get their work done.”
In 2021, when I joined HOVER, it was best known for its 3D measurement technology — a powerful but occasional tool contractors used a few times a month to capture site data. That limited engagement revealed a larger opportunity. To evolve into a true SaaS platform for professionals, HOVER needed to move beyond photo capture and become part of the daily job workflow — connecting field work, documentation, and office review in one place.
Problem — Fragmented Workflows, Missing Context
Through interviews with existing users, my PM and I identified a consistent gap: contractors lacked a structured, reliable way to document site conditions. This insight led to the Checklists feature — a guided, standardized workflow that bridges field and office tasks, drives daily engagement, and generates structured data for future automation and intelligence.
Contractors relied on five different tools to complete a job:
Camera → Notes → Email or WhatsApp → Excel or paper → HOVER (only at the start)
This fragmented process caused:
Inconsistent documentation quality
Missed compliance items
Manual handoffs that delayed projects
Research — Understanding Life in the Field
“How might we connect field documentation and office review into one continuous, reliable workflow?”
We shadowed roofers, estimators, and inspectors on active job sites to see how documentation actually happens.
Key Insights:
Speed beats everything: Field pros ignore anything that slows them down.
Structure creates confidence: A guided flow feels like support, not control.
Photos are proof: “If there’s no photo, it didn’t happen.”
Design Strategy — Capture First, Structure Automatically
Our north star: effortless structure. The field experience had to feel lightweight and fast, yet produce clean, labeled data that could feed automation later.
Design Goals:
Ease of Use: Natural in the field; no training needed.
Standardization: Every checklist = consistent process.
Data Maturity: Turn unstructured inputs into structured, AI-ready data.
Extending the Design System — Rethinking Mobile Navigation
While defining the Checklists flow, we realized the existing mobile navigation couldn’t support a full workflow. Accessing Checklists required too many steps, breaking the intended daily rhythm.
I redesigned the mobile navigation to align with the Pro’s actual workflow — from measurement → documentation → review — and to highlight HOVER’s evolution into an all-in-one platform.
Design Principles:
Fewer taps, less cognitive load
Elevate Checklists to a core navigation tab
Create space for future modules
Navigation Wireframes Concepts
Solution — The HOVER Checklists
A mobile-first, modular system that transforms inspections into structured, cloud-synced data. After multiple prototypes and research interviews, we have developed our first MVP.
Design Highlights:
Photo capture with built-in annotation
Cloud sync between field and office
Mandatory fields for quality control
Navigation designed around daily use
Left: Introduced the workflow-based navigation for the mobile app
Middle: Guided approach for the next step after the initial step
Right: Standardize the way to capture data and reduce human errors
The HOVER Checklists - Admin Portal
Easily tailor inspections to your workflow. Create custom templates for any construction project so every checklist reflects your team’s real process — complete with photos, annotations, and notes that capture job-specific details.
Work consistently, every time. Standardized checklists ensure that every crew follows the same SOPs, reducing errors and maintaining quality across all projects.
Share results instantly. Complete checklists quickly in the field, then export to PDF for seamless sharing with clients, inspectors, or office teams.
Tracking adoption
Reflection — Designing for Habit
This project reinforced a key principle: automation begins with human workflow design. By making documentation simple and rewarding, we changed daily behavior — not just usage metrics.
Post MVP
AI-assisted checklist suggestions
Smart photo classification
Predictive compliance summaries
Context-aware templates for roofing, siding, solar
Customer Testimonials