DRTWRK

From weeks of grading to days

DRTWRK helps civil engineers and grading specialists automate complex grading processes across lots, roads, and zones — reducing work that typically takes weeks or months into days.

I led the end-to-end product design, redefining the interaction model to support both standalone and embedded use within Civil 3D, while improving usability, clarity, and system trust.

Manual, expert-bound, error-prone

Grading is a critical but highly manual process in civil engineering projects. It requires significant expertise, is time-consuming, and is prone to costly errors:

Domain analysis to validation

The work began with problem framing through domain analysis and workflow breakdown, followed by heuristic evaluation of the existing flows. I prototyped iteratively in Figma — including advanced interaction modeling — and validated rapidly through internal reviews and engineering alignment.

Continuous refinement was driven by system constraints and technical feasibility. AI-assisted tools were used to accelerate iteration and explore interaction patterns at scale.

A unified, contextual grading platform

The shipped product centers on a unified navigation model based on context — Roads · Lots · Zones — with consistent interaction patterns across each domain. Preset management, assignment, and grading were consolidated into a single interface, eliminating context switching.

Layer validation surfaces required geometry up front with helper text and concrete examples. Early validation catches invalid configurations before execution, turning the workflow from reactive debugging to proactive guidance. Exposing how the engine derives elevations made automation trustworthy.

Civil 3D Wizard

Results & impact

Although the product is still evolving, the redesign delivered meaningful improvements across usability, efficiency, and system trust — from reduced input errors and faster onboarding to a stronger foundation for AI-assisted grading and multiplayer collaboration.