Transforming Testing Labs with a Scalable Web App for Whirlpool
Discover how Whirlpool leveraged agile development and UX design to transform its dishwasher testing labs, improving efficiency and flexibility.
A Closer Look at Whirlpool
Whirlpool is a Fortune 500 company and a global leader in home appliances, known for innovation and quality. Its product line includes dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators. Whirlpool operates one of the world’s most advanced dishwasher testing labs and is committed to improving efficiency and product reliability through cutting-edge technology.
Delivering a Scalable Web App that Redefines Testing Efficiency
The Challenge
Streamlining Manual Testing with Flexible Automation
Whirlpool’s dishwasher testing process relied heavily on desktop software and manual workflows to grade and track their tests, which limited the testing lab’s efficiency, scalability, and adaptability.
They needed a web application to replace their current system and allow them to add new features, easily make updates, and connect with their current systems. They also wanted to include other Whirlpool testing labs outside of the dishwasher product line in the future. Creating a user experience that increased tester accuracy and made grading easier was a top priority.
The Approach
Agile Development for a User-Centric Solution
The Whirlpool team partnered with LaunchPad Lab to design and develop a web application using an Agile approach to address these challenges.
The process included:
- User Research: Shadowing the testers to identify pain points and requirements.
- UX Design: Wireframing and prototyping features to enhance workflows and flexibility.
- Agile Collaboration: Coordinating a global team spanning the U.S., Poland and India to ensure rapid iteration and delivery.
- Minimal Viable Product (MVP) Principles: Focused feature development on key user flows in alignment with Whirlpool’s strategic innovation directives.
The Solution
A Scalable Web App That Redefines Testing Efficiency
The Global Washability System (GWS) 2.0 for Whirlpool is a web-based application built using the AngularJS framework.
Key features include:
- Administrator Dashboard: Admins can easily manage schedules, lab requests, test procedures, and rack layouts.
- Rack Builder: Users can upload an image of a new rack layout, and add labels to each dish for precise testing.
- Technician Console: A new intuitive interface simplifies test setup and procedures for scoring for each dish in testing.
- Interactive Charts: Easily display filterable test data from the wash cycle and dishwashers.
- Test Reporting: Create custom reports by selecting wash cycle test data – then, export them into PDFs for review.
- Advanced Querying: Search by numerous cycle options and platforms which can be exported into CSV or XLSX files.
The Results
Enhanced Flexibility and Workflow Efficiency
Whirlpool’s new web application has transformed its dishwasher testing labs, resulting in:
✔️Enhanced functionality for admins to manage schedules, lab requests, test procedures, enums tables, testing tables, and rack layouts.
✔️An intuitive interface for technicians to run their assigned testing procedures, easily score dishes, and create custom reports.
✔️ Improved team efficiency, streamlining collaboration across India, Poland, and the United States.
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