Project Overview
- Company: BBQ Guru
- Industry: Consumer Tech, BBQ Automation
- Project Type: UX Strategy, First Mobile App Launch, IoT Integration
- Timeframe: October 2018 – August 2019
Project Context
For years, BBQ Guru had been a leader in BBQ temperature control, helping both backyard cooks and competition-level pitmasters achieve precision cooking through automation. But while their hardware was respected and reliable, their digital experience was non-existent—users still had to connect their devices to a computer for monitoring and adjustments.
With competitors releasing WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled grilling technology, BBQ Guru needed to modernize their offering.
- Users expected mobile-first convenience, but BBQ Guru had no app for real-time temperature control.
- Competing brands were capitalizing on smart BBQ trends, making BBQ Guru’s lack of a mobile experience a competitive risk.
- The new connected BBQ Guru pit monitor required a seamless digital experience, yet there was no UX framework in place to guide development.
I was brought in as the UX Lead, responsible for ensuring that:
- The first-ever BBQ Guru mobile app launched successfully, meeting budget and timeline constraints.
- The UX was intuitive and built for both casual and expert users, making remote temperature control effortless.
- The platform was scalable, allowing BBQ Guru to evolve the app without constant redesigns.
This wasn’t just about building an app—it was about shaping BBQ Guru’s future in connected cooking.
The Challenge / Opportunity
The Problem
BBQ Guru’s reputation for high-quality automation technology was well-established, but their digital presence was non-existent.
- No mobile app existed—users had to physically connect devices to a computer.
- Competing products were entering the market, threatening BBQ Guru’s leadership in BBQ automation.
- No UX foundation was in place, meaning development teams had no strategic roadmap for execution.
The Opportunity
Rather than just launching an app quickly, I worked with BBQ Guru to establish a UX foundation that would support future innovation:
- Ensure a high-quality MVP launch, delivering a polished first experience for BBQ Guru’s loyal customer base.
- Develop a scalable UX framework, allowing future features to be integrated seamlessly.
- Create a clear, strategic roadmap, ensuring the app’s evolution aligned with user expectations and industry trends.
This project wasn’t just about catching up to the competition—it was about building a foundation for BBQ Guru’s long-term digital strategy.
My Role & Team
Role: UX Lead
I was responsible for:
- Product Strategy & Roadmap Planning – Aligning business goals, competitive insights, and user needs.
- UX Design & Annotated Wireframes – Delivering detailed interaction guidelines for seamless development execution.
- Client Collaboration & Feature Prioritization – Helping define key milestones for the app’s launch and future updates.
- Cross-Team Development Alignment – Working closely with engineering to ensure a smooth handoff and implementation.
While I did not create the UI elements, I was responsible for ensuring that the UX was structured correctly, guiding design teams on usability and interaction design principles.
Strategic Planning & User Needs
BBQ Guru’s customer base was split into two primary groups:
- Casual BBQ Enthusiasts – Needed a plug-and-play experience with minimal complexity.
- Competition Pitmasters – Wanted precision control and advanced customization.
To ensure the app served both audiences, I worked closely with the client to:
- Analyze competitive BBQ apps, identifying usability gaps and industry trends.
- Define an MVP feature set, ensuring the first release delivered core functionalities while leaving room for expansion.
- Develop a phased roadmap, allowing BBQ Guru to introduce new features without disrupting usability.
- This upfront strategic work ensured that BBQ Guru’s first app release was both successful and future-ready.
UX Execution & Development Alignment
Building the First UX Framework
- Designed a streamlined interaction model, ensuring users could monitor and adjust temperatures effortlessly.
- Created an intuitive dashboard, offering real-time temperature tracking at a glance.
- Simplified device setup and pairing, reducing friction for first-time users.
Scalability-Focused UX Architecture
- Worked with engineers to develop a flexible system, allowing future firmware updates to integrate seamlessly.
- Designed modular UX components, making new feature rollouts easier over time.
Annotated Wireframes & Development Handoff
- Provided detailed interaction annotations, ensuring that every feature was implemented as intended.
- Established UX documentation standards, creating a repeatable framework for future updates.
Solutions & Deliverables
Developed BBQ Guru’s First Connected Mobile App UX
- Designed an intuitive, scalable UX, making remote BBQ monitoring effortless.
- Provided real-time temperature tracking & control.
Established a Long-Term UX Roadmap
- Defined milestones and future feature expansions, aligning UX decisions with BBQ Guru’s business goals.
Created Annotated Wireframes & Interaction Guidelines
- Provided detailed specifications to ensure development teams could execute the vision accurately.
Results & Impact
- Successfully launched BBQ Guru’s first-ever mobile app, bringing their technology into the connected era.
- Developed a scalable UX framework, ensuring future product growth without requiring costly redesigns.
- Set a foundation for IoT smart grilling, positioning BBQ Guru for long-term industry leadership.
- Enabled a seamless handoff to development, ensuring the final product met user experience goals.
While this was only the first step in BBQ Guru’s digital transformation, it set the foundation for years of continued innovation.
Key Learnings & Takeaways
- Launching a first-gen app requires strategic foresight – A successful launch is not just about execution, but long-term planning.
- UX scalability ensures cost-efficiency – Designing for future growth upfront prevents expensive rework later.
- Strategic wireframes bridge UX and development – Detailed annotations improve execution and reduce misunderstandings.
- Competitive insights drive stronger design decisions – Understanding market gaps helped BBQ Guru stand out.
Final Thoughts
This project wasn’t just about launching a mobile app—it was about establishing a UX foundation for BBQ Guru’s next generation of smart BBQ products.
By combining strategic planning, UX execution, and scalability-focused design, we ensured that BBQ Guru’s app wasn’t just great for launch, but ready to evolve as the brand innovates.