Turning a complex system into a simple app

The SPC Brasil credit consulting system is well-known among consumers and companies, the system is the pioneer in getting consumer data and translating the information into credit scores and other financial insights to help companies evaluate the risk of selling a product or good to the potential buyer.

As a key player in assessing the health of the Brazilian economy, the system incorporates numerous business rules and complex mechanisms to ensure the data's reliability and accuracy. This system was originally available only on the web and included an app offering limited consumer consultation for certain associated companies.

We aimed to transform the landscape with SPC Mobile by offering a comprehensive range of products related to consumer and private sector consultation. This allows the associates—companies connected to the commercial chambers that constitute the SPC ecosystem—to access the system anytime, directly from their mobile devices.

Wireframes

I designed over 120 screens that detail every functionality of the mobile app. The image below showcases just a portion of these screens. User feedback was essential throughout the design process, as the app's complexity required us to adjust certain features from the old legacy system.

Some of the wireframes designed to create the app

The app includes four main menu items: Queries, Registers, Messages, and Me. The "Queries" section is the primary feature of SPC Mobile and represents the core business of SPC Brasil. Users can access information related to consumer credit and identify vehicle chassis.

In the "Registers" section, companies enter all defaulting consumers into the SPC database. The "Messages" section provides users with updates from SPC Brasil, while the "Me" section allows users to manage their accounts.

Query filters taxonomy

SPC Brasil's consultation products provide a wide array of query filters that determine the information displayed on the results page. This is where the revenue originates, as each filtering option has a distinct cost. Some query filters are similar across various products, while a few are unique.

There are 115 available query filters. The main issue with the SPC system available online was that these filters were not clearly organized, making it difficult for users to understand their differences. Additionally, the system does not provide any explanations about how each filter can improve the results. Since these filters are not free, users tend to stick with familiar options, often ignoring others that could yield better results.

I conducted a card-sorting activity with users to help me categorize these filters into logical and recognizable groups. The image below shows the test result, describing how users organized the query filters, helping to shape the user experience in SPC Mobile.

Organization of the query filters (in portuguese).

Conclusion

This project was one of the most complex I had the opportunity to work on. Adjusting all the intricate business rules into a simple solution was no easy task. SPC Brasil pioneered the credit market in Brazil, which means they operate within their own unique set of rules and frameworks. Successfully translating this into a format that a broader audience could understand, while also utilizing the best user experience and design principles, was my greatest achievement.