ChkM8 Admin Dashboard Web App
Data driven web application development for a company empowering safer human connections.
Role
Software Engineer | Brand Strategist
Location
Remote
Tools
Angular, TypeScript, Node.js, Java, Docker, SassCSS, MySQL, Python, Bash, Git, Figma
Explore the Project
→ Admin Dashboard Prototype
→ Product Walkthrough Video
→ ChkM8 Website
Premise
This project is in the context of my work with ChkM8, LLC. ChkM8 is a social app designed to empower users when meeting people offline. As a Software Engineer contracted by ChkM8, I had the opportunity to lead several software projects and consult on technology and branding strategy. This project is a case study of my work on the ChkM8 Admin Dashboard web app.
Challenge
As part of my work for ChkM8, I was tasked with extending their Admin Dashboard web app's capabilities to allow admin tracking of user group performance. This project required a deep understanding of the app's Docker-containerized Java Spring backend and the ability to create a user-friendly interface using Angular, TypeScript, and other frontend tools for the admin team. Much of the challenge posed by this project came from a lack of documentation, missing development environment files, and a lack of developer support.
Solution
The group reporting remodel involved creating a tabbed display offering three different reporting views. I started the project with a detailed Figma prototype, proposing the end product to the ChkM8 team and followed up with a full implementation of the design. When developing the app, I found a deficit in backend migration files and developer support. As a result, I took my time to create a MySQL database porting tool (using Python and Bash scripting), bypassing database permission requirements and using log parsing to scrape, format, and insert test data into a new development database. This tool was used to create a new database for the project and was later used to port the database to the production server.
Design and Development Choices
Many of the choices typically offered for project development were not existent in this specific project, as I was tasked with extending an already existant web app. However, I was able to make choices in the design and implementation of the new features. For example, I chose to provide a design which offered clearly defined reporting views and metrics, each with specific purposes to target the ChkM8's program goals. In addition to the design choices made, I made the choice to create a database porting tool to facilitate the project's development and deployment. This tool was a significant time saver and allowed me to focus on the project's core features while also providing real data to manipulate and test the product.
Result
This project gave me the opportunity to test my knowledge of production grade products and operate on a new product blindly, with little background knowledge provided on how the product was orchestrated. The product itself was a success, offering the client with their requested features and making an social impact through ChkM8's mission. The below images show the product's outcome, but only goes halfway to seeing social change. I hope to see the product in action and see the impact it has on the world.
