During the COVID-19 crisis, we played a key role in digitizing COVID testing in Germany. With over 70 test stations and more than one million antigen and PCR tests conducted, Corona Freepass has become one of the country's leading test providers.
The Task
In the early days of the crisis, the founding team of Corona Freepass recognized the urgent need for fast, easily accessible testing solutions. Through collaboration with a laboratory and innovative techniques, they ensured that their tests were the most cost-effective options available from the onset.
Implementing a fully digital approach together with Sparkpark, from test procurement to scheduling, execution, and results delivery, streamlined the entire process. Digitizing the organization of physical test stations further optimized efficiency and speed of operations.
At the outset of the project, we designed several flowcharts to map out the process flow and user roles. We then developed mobile apps for both Android and iOS platforms, which were tailored to those roles. These role-specific versions were accessed by scanning an invitation QR code.
The Test Subject
For this user, the process of registration, data verification, station selection, appointment, payment was created. The test person was then able to identify himself at the station using the app and complete the test. The test result was sent directly to the app, including the lab report.
Furthermore, those users could also verify the status of other users by scanning their ‘Freepass’ on the phone.
The Station Staff
The team at the test station consisted of different roles, all of which required different versions of the app. From support workers who verified the test subjects with ID cards and QR scans, to test assistants who performed the tests and lab personnel who evaluated, to the team leader who ensured the process: For each of the roles, the processes and touch points were carefully planned and intuitively enforced in the app.
The Website
Users could also register for the Corona test on the website without using the app at all. There were different landing pages for each german area that provided more detailed information about the tests and stations. This was necessary because German states dealt with the Corona crisis differently and, for example, subsidized the tests differently for their citizens.
Rollout for Companies & Events
Later in the project, further extensions of the product were implemented: With “Freepass Service”, test kits could be sent to companies and picked up again after samples had been taken. Employees of the company carried out these tests themselves and were guided by the app.
Conclusion
With a small and agile team, it was possible to create a tool that supports the entire process within a very short time. Only a few weeks passed from the idea to the first launch. To save time, no wireframes were used and discussions were made via chat instead of on an agile board. With feedback from users at the stations in various roles, processes could be constantly optimized. This made test results visible to test subjects more quickly, shortened waiting times, and strengthened data protection.