I led the UX/UI mega menu design for tricelsiteassessor.ie, focusing on simplifying navigation, clarifying the tool’s structure, and improving readability for a primarily desktop-based audience.

• Audited the existing user journey to identify friction points

• Proposed a more intuitive navigation model tailored to the report-writing workflow

• Designed developer-ready UI layouts using large, legible type and strong visual hierarchy

• Ensured all core user actions - registering, logging in, creating, and editing reports - were clearly defined and accessible

In Ireland, any new home built off the mains water system must submit a wastewater treatment report to the EPA. This task typically falls to the site assessor or quantity surveyor, who must compile test results and recommend an appropriate tank system.

To support this process, Tricel developed a web-based tool that guides assessors through the reporting workflow - while strategically pre-populating the final report with Tricel-recommended tanks, increasing product visibility and sales alignment. However, many users are men in their late 40s–50s who are not digital natives. They needed a friction-free experience that was fast, clear, and reliable.

Key pain points

• Lack of digital familiarity among assessors made the site feel difficult to navigate

• The login/register flow was unclear, with no obvious entry point into the tool

• The user journey lacked defined stages, making it hard to track progress or return to unfinished reports

• The interface didn’t accommodate the needs of desktop-first, glasses-wearing professionals - type was too small and content felt cramped

UX strategy

The primary goal was to reduce cognitive load and support speed of use, especially for time-pressured, non-tech-savvy professionals working on site assessments.

Key UX decisions

Hover-triggered mega menu navigation
Introduced a persistent mega menu that displayed all key actions: Register, Login, Create Report, Edit Report. This gave users a clear view of where they were and what they could do at any point.

Clear stage-based workflow
Each section of the mega menu mirrored the logical flow of the assessor’s work—reducing guesswork and keeping users oriented throughout the process.

Desktop-first, accessibility-aware UI
Prioritised large, high-contrast typefaces, generous spacing, and clear buttons to support older users with reading glasses and non-touchscreen workflows.

Quick re-entry and editing
Enabled fast login and return-to-edit features so that assessors could start a report on-site and complete it later without confusion.

Unlocked reporting growth

Before the redesign, report completion had stalled at 800 per year - well short of the 1,200 annual target. After the new mega menu and workflow improvements were introduced, usage quickly accelerated (25% increase in the first 3 months), and the annual target was comfortably surpassed at the year end.

Fast design-to-dev handoff
Thanks to clean layout structure and developer-ready assets, implementation was smooth and rapid - ensuring no bottlenecks between design and delivery.

This project reinforced the value of designing for real-world users - especially those who may not be digitally fluent. By simplifying structure and removing ambiguity, we helped users focus on the task at hand, not the interface. If I had more time, I would have expanded contextual support throughout the tool - adding inline guidance for technical fields, clear progress indicators, auto-save feedback, helpful error messages, and smart defaults that pre-fill Tricel-recommended products. These small touches reduce friction and help users feel confident as they move through the workflow.

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