A modernized produce quality inspection workflow
UI / UX Design / Product Strategy / Macro System Integration / Ground Up Solution
Lead Product Designer
Overview
Kroger Quality Inspectors ensure produce meets both USDA standards and Kroger’s stricter quality specs, deciding whether shipments are accepted or rejected. Previously, inspectors used paper binders for these specs, which was inefficient and error-prone.
I designed a digital version of Kroger’s produce specifications, integrated into the Directed Quality Assurance Android app. This streamlined the inspection process, enabling real-time data capture that helps stakeholders track supplier quality and make informed purchasing decisions.
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The Ask
Create a system for managing produce specifications that enables admin users to easily update and edit spec data. The system must also seamlessly sync with the Directed Quality Assurance app, ensuring inspectors always have access to the most up-to-date and accurate specifications directly within the inspection forms they use during quality checks.
The Question
How might we design a system that encourages Quality Inspectors—with years of hands-on, generational experience—to confidently transition from the traditional paper spec book to a digital solution?
The Goal
To encourage inspector adoption of the new digital system for capturing inspection data and referencing produce specifications, enabling business stakeholders to access actionable insights that inform purchasing decisions and ultimately ensure fresher produce for customers.
Fresh Quality Specs Hub
Modernization. I replaced the bulky paper spec book with a digital system that’s faster, smarter, and easier to use.
Current State
The first step in tackling this project was to deeply understand the current workflow of Quality Inspectors. This involved multiple on-site observation sessions and interviews with existing users.
Understanding Potential Roadblocks
Not all users were ready to embrace change, which introduced a unique challenge: modernizing the workflow while also addressing potential barriers to adoption.
Creating Solutions (MVP)
Fresh Quality Specs Hub is a straightforward, easy-to-navigate website designed for non–tech-savvy users, while also serving as a focused MVP that could be built quickly to demonstrate business value.
Specification Administrator Management
Evolving. Empowering administrators with the tools they need to manage and maintain specification data.
Data Accuracy
To empower administrators to manage the spec book independently—rather than relying on our team for every update—we designed a user-friendly and secure editing system tailored to their needs.
To support successful adoption, I created a detailed user guide, led training sessions for new feature releases, and onboarded them by checking through all existing spec data together to ensure initial accuracy and familiarity with the tool.
Spec Variations
One of the biggest challenges was managing the complexity of the data due to numerous special cases—such as exceptions for which apple varieties can be certain colors. To address this, I designed a data hierarchy that could support these variations while maintaining a simple, intuitive experience for users. It was essential that users understood they were editing at the variation level without being overwhelmed by the underlying complexity.
Scalability
This system needed to be designed with future scalability in mind. As meat, seafood, and floral commodities will eventually be added to the Fresh Quality Specs Hub, it was essential to research their unique specifications early on. This upfront investigation ensured the design could accommodate future categories seamlessly, creating a flexible foundation for Kroger to expand into additional departments when ready.
Directed Quality Assurance Integration
Integration. Giving Quality Inspectors effortless access to the most current specifications—anytime, anywhere.
Data Mapping
Every data point captured in the Fresh Quality Specs Hub (FQSH) needed to directly feed into the corresponding fields in the Directed Quality Assurance (DQA) app. To ensure seamless integration, my design partner Aaron from DQA and I conducted detailed mapping exercises, collaborating closely with data architects from both teams to confirm technical feasibility.
Integration Complete
The DQA app is now fully powered by Fresh Quality Specs Hub (FQSH) data across all sub-commodity inspection workflows. This integration enables smart features like real-time alerts when inspectors reach defect limits and easy access to specifications directly within the app. No more flipping through paper binders!
Data Reporting
Make an impact. Faster inspections, more data visibility.
Quality Inspectors
While entering inspection details into the Directed Quality Assurance app requires some time investment, referencing specifications has become significantly faster and more efficient. It’s now quicker and smarter than ever to determine whether produce meets Kroger’s high standards.
Business Stakeholders
Kroger’s produce buyers can now monitor quality performance across commodities, sub-commodities, warehouses, and suppliers throughout the year. They can analyze trend data to inform which suppliers to buy from at what times to provide the customer with the freshest produce possible.
Team
Aaron Corsi, Senior Product Designer
Scott Hoverman, Senior Product Design Manager
Nayana Sahasrabudhe, Associate Product Manager
Nathan Wolski, Senior Product Manager
What I Learned
Roadmapping + Prioritization are Key
One of the biggest challenges in this project was breaking down complex requirements into technically feasible, high-impact features for both Quality Inspectors and Business Stakeholders. I collaborated closely with my Product Manager to prioritize functionality, assess feasibility, and communicate a clear, realistic roadmap to stakeholders.
Designing one system for multiple user groups
This project presented the unique challenge of designing for multiple user groups with varying levels of access. Understanding each group’s specific needs was essential to ensure they had the right features to support their roles effectively.
Integrating large systems with complex data
This was my first opportunity to collaborate closely with another designer on integrating large datasets between two connected applications. The challenge involved bridging data stored on a web platform with data used within an Android app. I worked alongside data architects to ensure the UI was designed with the correct data structures in mind. From the outset, I approached the design with the end system in mind—ensuring seamless communication between platforms and minimizing the risk of errors.