DEVCON | DCTX
RapidPass &
TraceCovid
RapidPass & TraceCovid apps
RapidPass &
TraceCovid
DCTx is a volunteer-led initiative that developed the Philippines' first nationwide digital checkpoint pass and tracing system during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project improved manual checkpoint processes with scalable, low-cost solutions that prioritised frontline workers, enhanced data collection, supported government decisions, and ensured accessibility for all users.
⟡ CHALLENGES
Checkpoints relied on manual processes, causing hours-long delays and wasting critical time for frontline workers to help. Poor-quality data hindered informed policymaking, and enforcement was inconsistent due to a lack of standardised systems around the country.
⟡ OBJECTIVES
The project aimed to design a scalable digital system that streamlined checkpoint operations with QR codes for faster validation. It needs to provide real-time data insights for policymakers, ensure accessibility for all users, and keep costs low for easy adoption across regions.
⟡ ROLE
I led the design vision and scaled the team from a handful to nearly 400 volunteers. I collaborated with 60 designers, developers & researchers, facilitated sprints, conducted research, created prototypes, and oversaw UI/UX development while aligning with government needs.
⟡ OUTCOMES
DCTx distributed 900,000 RapidPasses, saving frontline workers 1-3 hours per checkpoint. Our marketing efforts reached ~4.9 million Filipinos, secured $100K from Microsoft in development grants, and paved the way for digital tools post-pandemic by the government.
RapidPass
Transforming checkpoint efficiency
A matter of time
Time was a significant factor in this project in multiple ways as there were long daily lines at checkpoints, patients' lives at risk, and limited time availability from volunteers.
To speed up development, we used existing frameworks and Material Design patterns for quick prototyping and a cohesive UI. We made a brand guide for all new members to streamline our workflow. As the lead, my responsibilities centered on development, maintaining consistency and fostering skill growth through a buddy system that paired junior & senior volunteers.
A matter of time
Time was a significant factor in this project in multiple ways as there were long daily lines at checkpoints, patients' lives at risk, and limited time availability from volunteers.
To speed up development, we used existing frameworks and Material Design patterns for quick prototyping and a cohesive UI. We made a brand guide for all new members to streamline our workflow. As the lead, my responsibilities centered on development, maintaining consistency and fostering skill growth through a buddy system that paired junior & senior volunteers.
Prior to our project, checkpoint personnel manually processed lengthy documents, leading to hours-long delays that wasted critical time for frontline workers. Poor data quality resulted in frequent losses and minimal insights. To understand their capabilities needs, we conducted interviews with various checkpoint staff.
The official way of 'data-gathering' before Rapidpass was introduced
The official way of 'data-gathering' before Rapidpass
As we envisioned a digital solution, we considered several essential factors that could impact its effectiveness. We addressed low nighttime visibility by designing features that would be usable in various lighting conditions. We also accounted for unreliable internet access, ensuring the app could function with limited connectivity.
As we envisioned a digital solution, we carefully considered factors such as low nighttime visibility, unreliable internet access, limited availability of mobile devices among a sizable population, language diversity, usability and data privacy requirements.
As we envisioned a digital solution, we carefully considered factors such as low nighttime visibility, unreliable internet access, limited availability of mobile devices among a sizable population, language diversity, usability and data privacy requirements.
Police & military manually checking documents for each vehicle
Staff manually checking documents for each vehicle
Having a ton of people working on the same thing quickly needs order
Lots of people working on one thing quickly needs order
Balancing efficiency & speed
Time was a crucial factor in this project. The long lines at checkpoints delayed frontline workers, putting lives at risk and reducing the efficiency of essential services each day, so we had to move fast. Meanwhile, there was only so much time volunteers could spend each day.
To accelerate development, we leveraged existing frameworks and Material Design patterns for rapid prototyping and a cohesive user interface. I focused on maintaining consistency while fostering skill growth through a buddy system that paired junior & senior volunteers.
A matter of time
Time was a significant factor in this project in multiple ways as there were long daily lines at checkpoints, patients' lives at risk, and limited time availability from volunteers.
To speed up development, we used existing frameworks and Material Design patterns for quick prototyping and a cohesive UI. We made a brand guide for all new members to streamline our workflow. As the lead, my responsibilities centered on development, maintaining consistency and fostering skill growth through a buddy system that paired junior & senior volunteers.
A matter of time
Time was a significant factor in this project in multiple ways as there were long daily lines at checkpoints, patients' lives at risk, and limited time availability from volunteers.
To speed up development, we used existing frameworks and Material Design patterns for quick prototyping and a cohesive UI. We made a brand guide for all new members to streamline our workflow. As the lead, my responsibilities centered on development, maintaining consistency and fostering skill growth through a buddy system that paired junior & senior volunteers.
Rapid iteration & development
Following an agile approach, we iterated and refined the design, beginning with a rough prototype and continuously enhancing it based on real-world feedback. Checkpoint personnel and frontline workers facilitated on-site testing, allowing us to identify key areas for improvement.
With these insights, we added informative pages, clarified the onboarding experience, ensured the language was clear across different dialects, and optimised the UI for the diverse range of devices and screen sizes in use. These adjustments made the app practical, accessible, and effective in addressing the challenges faced at checkpoints.
After re-testing, we reduced the checkpoint processing time by several minutes per individual, significantly increasing the number of people processed each hour.
Deployment
Once the app was developed enough to be operational, the government provided the checkpoint staff with dedictated phones and the app pre-installed to minimize the app not working. We hosted multiple sessions where they were trained on how to use the app, what the different feedback messages meant if entry wasn't approved and how to handle situations if things didn't work. Thankfully, this went surprisingly smooth.
Leveraging social media
Recognising that many Filipinos rely on Facebook for free internet access, we focused our outreach on this platform and supplemented it with live TV presentations on popular channels and placed big banners along busy highways. This approach reached 4.9 million people in a short timeframe, generating significant public interest and (pre)registrations.
To ensure accessibility, individuals could register online or via text to receive a unique QR code for app use or as a printed card for those without mobile devices. This strategy effectively raised awareness and made the system available to those who needed it most.
Easy to product content to keep production time low
TraceCovid
Next to RapidPass, we also created TraceCovid; a visualization tool for the public & policymakers to understand COVID-19 data effectively. While we did get phase 1 launched, we ran into tricky things like:
- Data Privacy & Standards: We faced challenges related to data privacy concerns, lack of standardized data sources, and the absence of established protocols for handling health data.
- Technical Hurdles: It took quite some time to find the right data sources, translating design concepts into functional interfaces, and ensuring that visualizations worked (fast) on mobile devices.
- Usability Considerations: Designing visualizations that were both informative and user-friendly posed challenges, as the team needed to cater to the needs of both the public and policymakers.
- Ethical & Legal Risks: We had to address the risks of storing sensitive health data from users and ensure accurate reports.
- Data Access & Cleaning: Accessing & cleaning data was a major challenge as there was practically no structured & clean data sources, which are crucial for effective data visualization.
Deep dive
For a more in-depth look at the technical side of the data science, how we created the visualisations and dealth wilt the above issues, you can check out my colleague's article.
Combining tons of data into accurate & useful data viz is tricky business
As seen on
Behind the scenes // process
Behind the scenes // process
As seen on
Microsoft
Developers Connect Philippines Create Technology Solutions to Combat COVID-19
Topgear
IATF: Frontliners soon to use QR codes for ID verification at checkpoints
Manila Bulletin
DICT Takes Over RapidPass System from DCTx
Esquire
This App by Volunteers Can Help Ease Gridlocks At Traffic Checkpoints
Philstar
RapidPass project for quarantine checkpoints turned over to agencies
Microsoft
Developers Connect Philippines Create Technology Solutions to Combat COVID-19
CNN
'Rapid Pass' launched for faster checkpoint inspection for frontliners
Topgear
IATF: Frontliners soon to use QR codes for ID verification at checkpoints
Manila Bulletin
DICT Takes Over RapidPass System from DCTx
Esquire
This App by Volunteers Can Help Ease Gridlocks At Traffic Checkpoints
Philstar
RapidPass project for quarantine checkpoints turned over to agencies
Shoutouts
A big thanks to the talented team: Dom, Jess, Dwin, Jo, James, Cassie, John, Vanessa, among everyone else. I was repeatedly thoroughly impressed with how much people can do in a short timespan if you all have a shared goal to do something that helps others.
Despite we were all just volunteering, stuck at home, dealing with different timezones, managing a huge team whilst staying sane outselves during the covid-19 pandemic, we somehow pulled it off.
Really proud of all the people involved in this, salamat!
Shoutouts
A big thanks to the talented team: Dom, Jess, Dwin, Jo, James, Cassie, John, Vanessa, among everyone else. I was repeatedly thoroughly impressed with how much people can do in a short timespan if you all have a shared goal to do something that helps others.
Despite we were all just volunteering, stuck at home, dealing with different timezones, managing a huge team whilst staying sane outselves during the covid-19 pandemic, we somehow pulled it off. Really proud of all the people involved in this, salamat!
Shoutouts
A big thanks to the talented team: Dom, Jess, Dwin, Jo, James, Cassie, John, Vanessa, among everyone else. I was repeatedly thoroughly impressed with how much people can do in a short timespan if you all have a shared goal to do something that helps others.
Despite we were all just volunteering, stuck at home, dealing with different timezones, managing a huge team whilst staying sane outselves during the covid-19 pandemic, we somehow pulled it off. Really proud of all the people involved in this, salamat!
Other projects
Wow, you made it to the end!
Wow, you made it to the end!
If you have a similar project in mind, I'd love to help you out. Book a call so we can chat and get to know each other.
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If you have a similar project in mind, I'd love to help you out. Book a call so we can chat and get to know each other.