Formula Builder
ConstructConnect (OnCenter Software) | Research | Task Flows
This was being designed for OnCenter's desktop takeoff application to give construction professionals the ability to create custom material calculations across different trades. While ultimately not released due to product direction, the research and design work provided valuable insights into how different construction trades approach calculations differently.
My Contributions
- Researched construction calculation formulas and industry standards
- Mapped formula requirements across condition types (linear, area, volume) and documented variable needs
- Created wireframes for formula editor interface with variable insertion and function library
- Designed modal interactions for selecting variables and mathematical functions
- Compiled calculation tables showing which formulas apply to different shape types
- Analyzed existing construction calculators to understand current tools and approaches
These wireframes, along with the research, were compiled into a document that was then shared with the Product Manager to solicit feedback, address any questions, and identify areas for process refinement.
I began by researching how construction professionals calculate materials across different trades—drywall, framing, steel structure, concrete. Each requires specialized formulas. I documented existing calculation methods, studied online construction calculators, and organized requirements into tables. I created wireframes in Illustrator and compiled the research and workflow documentation in Word.
The PDF format allowed the Product Manager to leave notes and clarify requirements, helping me better understand the flows. The documentation showed how users could build formulas using variables specific to their condition type, with options to select predefined industry formulas or construct custom ones.
