CONTEXT
Project Brief
How might the client disrupt itself before it gets disrupted by offering new products and services to their customers?
The aim was to create a new offering based on ideas from the client’s recent strategy development session – electric vehicles and home decarbonization. The demographic scope provided was to focus on the Irish energy market.
The final deliverable expected was an overview of what the new service is and how it may work to help the client then plan further testing, validation, and development.
This project was part of Accenture's Leaders of Tomorrow 2019 entrepreneurship competition, where the brightest entrepreneurs in the company come together to tackle new challenges outside of their day-to-day.
Methods:
6 Weeks of energy trend, market research, and competitor analysis
2 surveys with the general public
6 expert interviews
11 focus groups
3 prototypes
21 user tests
1 business case including the product roadmap and business model design
THE APPROACH
Refining the Scope
To decide between electric vehicles and home decolonization, my team and I conducted stakeholder interviews to gather initial requirements and success metrics.
Then, I led research into the Irish energy market trends and opportunities. With my team, I helped formulated questions and distribution of 2 surveys to discover public interest and behavior about home energy use and electric vehicle use. Additionally, with my team, we engaged in interviews with energy experts to learn new opportunities and with key stakeholders to uncover additional project considerations.
Evidence from the research pointed towards focusing on home decarbonization due to it being a large, growing market that did not have as many infrastructure constraints as electric vehicles. Also, based on the surveys, customers were more ready to renovate their homes than invest in an electric vehicle due to the current infrastructure state.
Ideation and Testing Part 1
After selecting home decarbonization, the team focused on generating and refining solution ideas. Using Design Thinking methods, over 30 concepts were generated that we refined down to 2. They were a home sustainability renovation service called Eco Pimp Your Home and community solar distribution service called Community Sun.
I created storyboards for each idea. Together, we created lo-fi PPT screens for Community Sun and a concept video for Eco Pimp You Home. Both were used to test in focus groups.
Input from users on the video and PPT screens led to the team to focus on Eco Pimp My Home. We also gained new insights into critical user needs, additional considerations, and increased stakeholder engagement.
![]() Eco Pimp Your Home video Screen shot.png | ![]() 474bd30d-1db7-457a-a0ef-393bd0db2d68.jpg | ![]() 5d8541d5-0be0-44b5-b2d0-235c2666a2ab.jpg |
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Prototyping and Testing Part 2
Based on feedback from initial focus groups, we renamed the idea to Get To Zero because the service helps customers get to zero carbon emissions.
We worked customers to outline their user journeys. That information with focus group feedback highlighted 4 key services that need to be incorporated:
finding a contractor,
understanding the renovation impact,
finance access,
and continued sustainability.
I designed lo-fi user flows and screens using PPT. My teammate Milo used them to create a more visually appealing version with Figma. With my team, I used the Figma prototype to conduct user tests (including user tests on the streets of Dublin) and to feedback to stakeholders and the client.
With the stakeholders, the team was able to develop a business case and business model for Get To Zero.
![]() 99fbfb92-1b30-45c6-a7ae-7763894ee711.jpg | ![]() Get To Zero Landing Page.PNG | ![]() Get to Zero savings page.PNG |
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![]() Get To Zero contractor booking.PNG | ![]() Get To Zero rennovation page.png | ![]() 00c24ab0-18a2-4897-91ff-78c8d7ebc835.jpg |
![]() b9780870-1da3-45cb-92c1-83024c54d00d.jpg |
WINNING PROJECT IDEA
Get To Zero became a new sustainability service for utility customers. It helps them to plan a renovation and find a contractor, track their improvements, and tips to continue their journey to zero carbon emissions.
Get To Zero won Accenture’s Leaders of Tomorrow competition. On the competition night, there were 150 sign-ups demonstrating interest in the service.
The project forecasted the client could develop Get To Zero as an initial information platform with a complimentary TV show over two quarters. Additionally, from brand improvement, the client is forecasted to obtain a 1-3% increase in market share. The new service alone is likely to achieve $12M in revenue with a 400% return on investment over 3 years, even when considering energy efficiency improvements because of Get To Zero.
The best success was being invited by the client to share Get To Zero with their team and handover our work as they plan on implementing the service.
Testimonies:
“This is so good. I wish I had this service when I did my home renovation a few months ago.” - User
“What I really liked about them is that they took a highly customer-centric approach throughout the whole proces.” – Client
"Is this available? Where can I download it?" - User
"This is more than just a platform. It's a movement." - Judge
![]() 7bccd90c-4bab-443c-893b-6d1711e04fc4.jpg | ![]() IMG_7294.JPG | ![]() 79354345_2585637858151326_64313203172090 |
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