The Client
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"Por el Mar" is a distinguished non-profit organization in the marine conservation sector, driven by a passionate team of scientists, activists, and policy experts. Their mission is to protect and restore the oceans, crucial for biodiversity and combating climate change. Despite their significant contributions, they faced operational challenges that hindered their efficiency and impact.
The Need
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A CUSTOM System
Por el Mar relied on cumbersome spreadsheets for tracking donations, managing expenses, and generating project reports. This method was not only error-prone but also time-consuming and difficult to maintain, affecting their overall operational efficiency.
PEM aimed to streamline their financial management processes to save time, reduce errors, and improve data accuracy.
They sought a custom solution tailored to their unique needs, enabling them to focus more on their mission rather than administrative tasks.
The Challenge
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The primary challenge was to bridge the gap between 'Por el Mar's' financial expertise and the right technical solutions. We weren't afraid to roll up our sleeves and help untangle their operational mess, ensuring their focus could remain on saving the oceans.
The Process
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Our collaboration was marked by initial in-depth meetings to understand 'Por el Mar's' processes, followed by the development of low-fidelity wireframes to present initial concepts. After refining these ideas into high-fidelity prototypes and receiving client approval, we proceeded to develop the application.
Understanding
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Our process began with a series of in-depth calls where the 'Por el Mar' team walked us through their existing spreadsheets and workflows. We took the time to dive deep into their current methods, identifying pain points and inefficiencies. To gain clarity and ensure we fully understood the flow of information, we created detailed flow charts that mapped out their processes. This foundational step was crucial in setting the stage for the custom solution we would later develop.
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With a solid understanding of 'Por el Mar's' processes, we moved on to creating low-fidelity wireframes. The goal here was to visually communicate our vision for the platform to their non-technical team. By presenting these early sketches, we ensured that everyone was aligned and on the same page before advancing to high-fidelity wireframes. This step was crucial in bridging the gap between our technical approach and their operational needs, fostering collaboration and setting a clear direction for the project.
LoFi Wireframes
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HiFi Wireframes
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Once the initial concepts were approved, we transitioned from low-fidelity wireframes to high-fidelity designs, bringing the platform's vision to life with greater detail and precision. These high-fidelity wireframes served as the blueprint for the final product, showcasing the look, feel, and functionality of the application. We then developed an interactive prototype, allowing the 'Por el Mar' team to experience the platform firsthand. This hands-on approach was essential for gathering feedback and making any necessary adjustments before moving into full development, ensuring that the final product would meet their expectations and needs.
With the high-fidelity designs and prototype finalized, we moved into the development phase. Leveraging our technical expertise, we began building the custom web application tailored specifically for 'Por el Mar's' needs. Throughout this phase, we maintained close communication with their team, providing regular updates and incorporating feedback to ensure the system aligned perfectly with their requirements. Our agile approach allowed us to stay flexible, addressing any challenges swiftly while keeping the project on track. The end result was a robust, user-friendly platform delivered within the tight three-month deadline, ready to empower 'Por el Mar' in their mission to protect the oceans.
Development
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Technology
For 'Por el Mar's' project, we chose a tech stack that balances reliability, scalability, and security. Java with Spring Boot offered stability and rapid development for their critical operations, while React, TypeScript, and Vite provided a flexible, component-based front end. This combination allowed us to build a secure, scalable system that grows with the organization and is backed by strong community support, ensuring long-term success.
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Guada Fernandez
CFO at PEM