The SmartWizard router installation prototype was part of a much wider project for Netgear, the goal of which was to improve the user experience of their entire Home/SMB line of products. This project was hugely encompassing, involving new architectures and logic flows, usability tests, focus group tests, statistical modeling and writing an entirely new set of UI specifications.

The example here focuses on the wireless router installation.

My new user interface for the prototype router installation software is designed to reduce much the ambiguity of the installation process for non-technical users. By utilizing more sophisticated installer intelligence, it will try not to burden the user with questions requiring a higher level of technical acuity. In conjunction with a newly-designed placemat to handle the physical connectivity between components, the installer will ideally reduce requests for technical assistance.

It accomplishes this goal by the following:

1. Fewer branch paths because physical connectivity instructions are moved to the placemat
2. Fewer interactions requiring the user to make technical decisions
3. Faster installation for the majority of users with average setup scenarios
4. Steps in the procedure clearly defined and progress indicated