Helping shift CADI™’s product direction from carbon tracking to proactive emissions planning
Helping shift CADI™’s product direction from carbon tracking to proactive emissions planning
Helping shift CADI™’s product direction from carbon tracking to proactive emissions planning
To move toward carbon neutrality, construction sustainability teams actively track emissions. Carbonetrix is a B2B company that helps construction companies monitor and reduce carbon emissions through their AI tool, CADI™.
Problem: Sustainability managers could monitor emissions, but struggled to decide what actions to take before projects exceeded carbon targets
Outcome: I repositioned CADI™ from a reporting tool into a proactive decision-support platform through my designed of an AI Decarbonization Planner.
To move toward carbon neutrality, construction sustainability teams actively track emissions. Carbonetrix is a B2B company that helps construction companies monitor and reduce carbon emissions through their AI tool, CADI™.
Problem: Sustainability managers could monitor emissions, but struggled to decide what actions to take before projects exceeded carbon targets
Outcome: I repositioned CADI™ from a reporting tool into a proactive decision-support platform through my designed of an AI Decarbonization Planner.
To move toward carbon neutrality, construction sustainability teams actively track emissions. Carbonetrix is a B2B company that helps construction companies monitor and reduce carbon emissions through their AI tool, CADI™.
Problem: Sustainability managers could monitor emissions, but struggled to decide what actions to take before projects exceeded carbon targets
Outcome: I repositioned CADI™ from a reporting tool into a proactive decision-support platform through my designed of an AI Decarbonization Planner.
Company:
Company:
Role:
Role:
Team:
Team:
Time Frame:
Time Frame:
Carbonetrix
Carbonetrix
Product Designer
Productd Designer
1 Product Designer, 1 AI Engineer, 1 Fullstack Engineer
1 Product Designer
1 AI Engineer
1 Fullstack Engineer
Nov 2025 - Feb 2026
Nov 2025 - Feb 2026
Background
Background
I was originally hired to redesign onboarding. But their research consistently showed that users needed actionable guidance that accounted for real construction constraints
I was originally hired to redesign onboarding. But their research consistently showed that users needed actionable guidance that accounted for real construction constraints
I was originally hired to redesign onboarding. But their research consistently showed that sustainability managers needed actionable guidance that accounted for real construction constraints
While reviewing Carbonetrix’s research for the onboarding project, I uncovered a broader gap: CADI™ helped users understand their emissions, but not take action to reduce them.
For a decarbonization company, it wasn't actually helping teams act to decarbonize (reduce carbon emission).
The existing experience helped users monitor emissions, but not act on them:
Dashboards reviewed too late to adjust
Data disconnected from actionable planning
Recommendations not taking project constraints into account
While reviewing Carbonetrix’s research for the onboarding project, I uncovered a broader gap: CADI™ helped users understand their emissions, but not take action to reduce them.
For a decarbonization company, it wasn't actually helping teams act to decarbonize (reduce carbon emission).
The existing experience helped users monitor emissions, but not act on them:
Dashboards reviewed too late to adjust
Data disconnected from actionable planning
Recommendations not taking project constraints into account
While reviewing Carbonetrix's existing research to better understand CADI™, I noticed a consistent pattern: users needed actionable guidance that accounted for real construction constraints.
For a decarbonization company, it wasn't actually helping teams act to decarbonize (reduce carbon emission).
The existing experience helped users monitor emissions, but not act on them:
Dashboards reviewed too late to adjust
Data disconnected from actionable planning
Recommendations not taking project constraints into account
Reframe & Research
Reframe & Research
I positioned this as an opportunity for Carbonetrix to move beyond reporting emissions to actively guiding teams with actions
I positioned this as an opportunity for Carbonetrix to move beyond reporting emissions to actively guiding teams with actions
To convince Carbonetrix of this market opportunity, I evaluated leading platforms like Green Badger and One Click LCA, and found that they focus heavily on retroactive reporting. None offered the predictive, time-aware insights that teams need to manage daily targets.
By combining this market gap with my user research, I successfully proved that Carbonetrix could shift from a mere passive data tracker into a tool that also intercepts carbon overages before they happen.
To convince Carbonetrix of this market opportunity, I evaluated leading platforms like Green Badger and One Click LCA, and found that they focus heavily on retroactive reporting. None offered the predictive, time-aware insights that teams need to manage daily targets.
By combining this market gap with my user research, I successfully proved that Carbonetrix could shift from a mere passive data tracker into a tool that also intercepts carbon overages before they happen.
Product Direction Validation
Product Direction Validation
To validate and shape the new product direction, I brought in construction sustainability experts to gain in depth knowledge on how decarbonization actions work offline
To validate and shape the new product direction, I brought in construction sustainability experts to gain in depth knowledge on how decarbonization actions work offline
After interviewing three sustainability managers, I gained more insights on how teams actually decarbonate offline, and how they decide when and how to act. I then mapped the steps of decarbonization into a decision-making lifecycle and mapped them to how our product could provide value to our users.
After interviewing three sustainability managers, I gained more insights on how teams actually decarbonate offline, and how they decide when and how to act. I then mapped the steps of decarbonization into a decision-making lifecycle and mapped them to how our product could provide value to our users.
Ideation
Ideation
With the new product direction validated, I explored four concepts for surfacing action-oriented recommendations guided by the value proposition
With the new product direction validated, I explored four concepts for surfacing action-oriented recommendations guided by the value proposition
Design
Design
I designed an AI Decarbonization Planner that brings emissions forecasting, risk prioritization, action planning, and projected impact into one decision-support workspace
I designed an AI Decarbonization Planner that brings emissions forecasting, risk prioritization, action planning, and projected impact into one decision-support workspace
My AI Planner design focuses on what is most important to users. The following components were designed to help with different steps of the Decision-Making Lifecycle and are what make this tool stand out from other carbon tracking tools:
My AI Planner design focuses on what is most important to users. The following components were designed to help with different steps of the Decision-Making Lifecycle and are what make this tool stand out from other carbon tracking tools:
Performance Projection
Risk Mitigation System
Planner Interface
Performance Projection
Risk Mitigation System
Planner Interface
Step 1 (Prediction): Performance Projection
Step 1 (Prediction): Performance Projection
A dashboard with emission projections and alerts clearly presented to help users predict where the project is heading and when emission will surpass target
A dashboard with emission projections and alerts clearly presented to help users predict where the project is heading and when emission will surpass target
This chart is a visual model that forecasts carbon emissions over time based on usage patterns. It also includes a range of possible values.
This chart is a visual model that forecasts carbon emissions over time based on usage patterns. It also includes a range of possible values.
Projection based on tracked activity patterns
Carbon target visible on chart for comparison
Card shows total CO₂ usage and status in a compact format for quick reference
Projection based on tracked activity patterns
Carbon target visible on chart for comparison
Card shows total CO₂ usage and status in a compact format for quick reference
Step 2 (Prioritization): Risk Mitigation System
Step 2 (Prioritization): Risk Mitigation System
Along with emission forecasts, users still need help with understanding where to focus first, so I designed a risk mitigation system which helps users prioritize risks across different categories
Along with emission forecasts, users still need help with understanding where to focus first, so I designed a risk mitigation system which helps users prioritize risks across different categories
After consulting with industry experts on how risk is calculated and with engineering team on feasibility, I designed a risk mitigation system that will help users assess their situation and prioritize their actions. More importantly, it will also assist with cross-category balance.
After consulting with industry experts on how risk is calculated and with engineering team on feasibility, I designed a risk mitigation system that will help users assess their situation and prioritize their actions. More importantly, it will also assist with cross-category balance.
References for risk assessment:
Industry-standard carbon assessment frameworks (like RICS WLCA guidance)
Historical project performance data
Real-time project conditions
User/business priorities and tolerance levels
References for risk assessment:
Industry-standard carbon assessment frameworks (like RICS WLCA guidance)
Historical project performance data
Real-time project conditions
User/business priorities and tolerance levels
Step 3, 4 (Prioritization + Learning): Planner Interface
Step 3, 4 (Prioritization + Learning): Planner Interface
A planner interface surfaces actions due on the current day and clickin on a past date surfaces all the completed actions and their impact
A planner interface surfaces actions due on the current day and clickin on a past date surfaces all the completed actions and their impact
Each day, users see a list of tasks scheduled for that day, including any that were previously assigned but not yet completed. They can also reassign tasks from the current day to a future date. Completed actions may influence the carbon performance projection, but since projections continuously recalibrate, it also takes into consideration the daily logged data from the tracker.
Each day, users see a list of tasks scheduled for that day, including any that were previously assigned but not yet completed. They can also reassign tasks from the current day to a future date. Completed actions may influence the carbon performance projection, but since projections continuously recalibrate, it also takes into consideration the daily logged data from the tracker.
The task of logging carbon activities of the day is automatically included each day
Calendar view allows users to preview or open any date to see its actions
AI Planner auto-schedules tasks, users can also assign tasks manually
Can see impact of selected previous actions
The task of logging carbon activities of the day is automatically included each day
Calendar view allows users to preview or open any date to see its actions
AI Planner auto-schedules tasks, users can also assign tasks manually
Can see impact of selected previous actions
Building user trust in AI
Building user trust in AI
To build trust with users, being transparent of AI calculation methods isn’t enough, I knew I needed a way to incorporate users’ own input in this planning process.
To build trust with users, being transparent of AI calculation methods isn’t enough, I knew I needed a way to incorporate users’ own input in this planning process.
I wanted users to feel that they are working alongside AI instead of just blindly allowing AI to make decisions for them in high stake construction projects. not being ordered around by AI. In fact, user involvement starts right from the beginning in the plan set up stage.
I wanted users to feel that they are working alongside AI instead of just blindly allowing AI to make decisions for them in high stake construction projects. not being ordered around by AI. In fact, user involvement starts right from the beginning in the plan set up stage.
Users set a buffer so lower emissions in one area can offset higher ones elsewhere
User can update these preferences anytime throughout the project
4 main steps plus one last step where users review their preferences
Users set a buffer so lower emissions in one area can offset higher ones elsewhere
User can update these preferences anytime throughout the project
4 main steps plus one last step where users review their preferences
Testing
Testing
Initial user testing garnered positive feedback
Initial user testing garnered positive feedback
My prototype was presented to the internal team at Carbonetrix which includes internal experts of the construction industry and the sales team. They were interviewed on the usability and of the product and all said the product is innovative and easy to use. They agreed that our clients can find this tool very useful. I also got some valuable feedback on the UI of the AI insight section of the planner and reiterated to make it look more modern.
My prototype was presented to the internal team at Carbonetrix which includes internal experts of the construction industry and the sales team. They were interviewed on the usability and of the product and all said the product is innovative and easy to use. They agreed that our clients can find this tool very useful. I also got some valuable feedback on the UI of the AI insight section of the planner and reiterated to make it look more modern.
5/5
5/5
5/5
feel confident using this tool without assistance
feel confident using this tool without assistance
5/5
5/5
5/5
No trouble understanding what they need to do each day to stay on track
No trouble understanding what they need to do each day to stay on track
4/5
4/5
4/5
Feel confident presenting CADI™ insights and actions to senior stakeholders
Feel confident presenting CADI™ insights and actions to senior stakeholders
Impact
Impact
My AI Decarbonization Planner helped reposition CADI™ from a passive emissions tracker toward an active decision-support system
My AI Decarbonization Planner helped reposition CADI™ from a passive emissions tracker toward an active decision-support system
Identified a market opportunity to compete on proactive carbon intervention rather than retrospective reporting
Validated technical feasibility of predictive emissions intervention within existing CADI™ infrastructure & expanded it from reporting emissions to influencing project decisions
Created an investor-facing prototype that showcased the future product direction
Part of $250K - $500K VC pitches
Identified a market opportunity to compete on proactive carbon intervention rather than retrospective reporting
Validated technical feasibility of predictive emissions intervention within existing CADI™ infrastructure & expanded it from reporting emissions to influencing project decisions
Created an investor-facing prototype that showcased the future product direction.
Part of $250K - $500K VC pitches
Identified a market opportunity to compete on proactive carbon intervention rather than retrospective reporting
Validated technical feasibility of predictive emissions intervention within existing CADI™ infrastructure & expanded it from reporting emissions to influencing project decisions
Created an investor-facing prototype that showcased the future product direction
Part of $250K - $500K VC pitches
Future Roadmap
Future Roadmap
As my contract with Carbonetrix was ending, I handed off an AI roadmap to the team to support future product development
As my contract with Carbonetrix was ending, I handed off an AI roadmap to the team to support future product development
With the core planning experience complete, leadership wanted to focus on increasing the value users could derive from CADI™ while improving recommendation trust.
With the core planning experience complete, leadership wanted to focus on increasing the value users could derive from CADI™ while improving recommendation trust.
With the core planning experience complete, leadership wanted to focus on increasing the value users could derive from CADI™ while improving recommendation trust.
Contact
Contact