Heart Disease Detection
The Safe Heart app project was a hypothetical exercise designed to teach effective project management principles. The app concept revolved around creating a mobile application capable of assessing heart disease risk, with a focus on simplicity, accessibility, and user-centered design.
By simulating the development of a healthcare tool, the project highlighted key phases of planning, execution, and delivery.
-1.png)
Project Description
Duration - August 2023 - December 2023
Role - UX Project Manager
Teammates - Adekola Adepoju, FNU Maddula Krishna Sai Prakash, Tina Joseph, Uma Buchammagari, Yugala Ramula
Problem
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, yet many individuals remain unaware of their risk factors until complications arise. This lack of early detection is exacerbated by barriers to accessing routine medical checkups, particularly for individuals with limited healthcare access or knowledge about their condition.
Solution
To explore how technology could help address this issue, we developed a hypothetical concept for the Safe Heart app. This app would provide an accessible, user-friendly platform to predict heart disease risk. By analyzing user-provided health data, it would empower individuals to identify potential risks early and seek medical attention, contributing to the prevention of severe complications and improving heart health outcomes globally.
The Process
-
The development of the Safe Heart app followed a structured framework, starting with a project proposal and scope definition. Tasks were divided using a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and resources were allocated through an annotated budget.
-
The team created a detailed project plan, outlining key phases like discovery, implementation, testing, and deployment. User-centric design principles ensured an intuitive interface, while simulated iterative testing refined features. Regular meetings and risk analyses addressed challenges and kept the project on track.
-
The project concluded with a "lessons learned" review, highlighting best practices and improvement areas. This process provided valuable hands-on experience in managing a complex, hypothetical initiative.
-
Define The Vision
-
Plan the Project
-
Development and Risk Mitigation
-
Review and Learn
01 Define the Vision
PROJECT PROPOSAL
Overview
We began by identifying the core problem—late detection of heart disease—and envisioned a solution that empowers users with accessible, early risk assessment. Through a detailed project proposal and scope statement, we outlined the app's objectives, target audience, and key deliverables, ensuring alignment with user needs and project goals.
Project Proposal
The project proposal laid the foundation for the Safe Heart app by identifying the problem of undiagnosed heart conditions due to limited awareness and healthcare access. The app’s primary goal was to provide a user-friendly solution for early detection of heart disease risk.
By predicting potential risks through user-provided health data, the app aimed to encourage medical follow-ups, ultimately reducing complications and improving overall heart health outcomes.
Scope Statement
The scope statement defined the project’s objectives and deliverables. It outlined the goal of designing, developing, and deploying a hypothetical app within a three-month timeline. Deliverables included an intuitive app interface, a robust backend system, comprehensive testing, and risk mitigation plans.
The project was designed with a budget of $540,000 and was initially focused on the Android platform. Assumptions included basic smartphone literacy among users and future validation of the predictive model by healthcare professionals in real-world scenarios.
02 Plan the Project
WHO'S OUR AUDIENCE?
Overview
The planning phase focused on creating a structured and efficient approach to completing the app within the three-month timeline and $540,000 budget. We developed a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to break the project into manageable tasks and milestones, ensuring all aspects were accounted for, from research to deployment. A detailed budget plan allocates resources to cover personnel, development, testing, and other critical components.
Additionally, a timeline was established to guide the project through the discovery, implementation, testing, and final delivery phases. Clear communication and resource allocation strategies ensured the team remained aligned and proactive in addressing challenges.
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
The WBS organized the Safe Heart app project into manageable tasks, from research and design to development and testing. It provided a clear structure, ensuring all team members understood their roles and task dependencies.
This approach streamlined workflow supported efficient resource allocation, and helped achieve milestones within the $540,000 budget and three-month timeline.
-1.png)
Budget Planning
Project planning established a clear roadmap for the Safe Heart app, covering task allocation, budget management, and scheduling.
Funding was uncertain at this point in time but funding was allocated across research, development, design, and testing, while a detailed timeline ensured milestones were met within the three-month timeframe.
This phase emphasized efficient resource use, team coordination, and proactive risk management to keep the project on track. The photo on the left is a summary of our budget allocation.
Timeline and Scheduling
The project followed a structured three-month timeline from September 8 to November 22, 2023, with key phases including discovery, implementation, testing, and deployment.
Milestones such as market research, app development, and user testing were carefully scheduled to ensure steady progress. This approach kept the team focused and allowed for timely adjustments to meet deadlines.
Resource Allocation
The SafeHeart project allocated resources strategically to ensure efficiency and quality. The team included developers, designers, testers, and a project manager, with clear roles supporting timely milestone delivery.
Financial resources were optimized within the $540,000 budget for research, development, testing, and deployment.
This approach ensured smooth collaboration, minimized delays, and aligned resources with project goals.
Meeting and Communication Plans
Effective communication was a cornerstone of the SafeHeart project. Regular meetings ensured alignment across all teams, with clear agendas and outcomes. Weekly progress reviews kept everyone on track, while ad-hoc sessions addressed immediate challenges.
Communication tools like Slack and email facilitated quick updates, and a centralized project management platform ensured transparency in task assignments and timelines. This structured approach fostered collaboration, minimized misunderstandings, and kept the project moving forward.
03 Development & Risk Mitigation
PUT IT ON PAPER!
Overview
The Safe Heart project ensured success through structured strategies. A proactive Risk Assessment Framework addressed challenges early, while System Planning organized tasks and resources for smooth execution. Project Monitoring and Control maintained progress and resolved issues, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with objectives.
Risk Assessment Framework
The Safe Heart project employed a proactive risk assessment framework to identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential challenges throughout the development lifecycle. Key risks, including technical feasibility, resource limitations, and timeline constraints, were documented and categorized by likelihood and impact.
Regular risk reviews during team meetings ensured timely identification of emerging issues.
This structured approach ensured the project remained on track and provided a robust template for managing risks in future initiatives.
System Planning
The System Planning phase focused on defining the technical structure and backend architecture necessary to support the SafeHeart application. This phase involved identifying system requirements, data storage solutions, and integration points for future development, ensuring scalability and security.
Project Monitor And Control
This phase ensured the project remained on track by actively monitoring progress, managing risks, and maintaining adherence to the defined budget and timeline. We tracked milestones, measured performance using project management tools, and conducted regular reviews to compare planned outcomes with actual deliverables.
Risk assessments were revisited throughout this phase, allowing us to adjust workflows and address challenges proactively. Budget oversight was maintained by comparing expenses against the projected $540,000 allocation, ensuring financial accountability. Transparent communication with stakeholders and team members facilitated collaboration, enabling the project to meet its objectives without scope creep or delays.
04 Review and Learn
BRINGING THE DESIGN TO LIFE
Key Lessons Learned
The Safe Heart project highlighted the importance of clear communication, early risk identification, and adaptability. Breaking down tasks into manageable components through the WBS allowed the team to stay organized and meet deadlines.
Regular risk analyses showed the need to anticipate challenges and maintain flexibility.
Iterative testing demonstrated the value of user feedback in refining features to better meet user needs.
User Feedback and Iteration
Simulated user feedback played a crucial role in enhancing the app's usability. Testing sessions revealed pain points in the interface, which were promptly addressed through design iterations. This iterative process resulted in an improved, more intuitive user experience, validating the importance of a user-centered approach.
Future Application
The experience gained from Safe Heart’s development can be applied to future projects by emphasizing structured planning, user feedback integration, and iterative development. The team’s ability to manage risks and adapt to new challenges will serve as a valuable framework for tackling real-world projects with similar complexity.