Behind the scenes of beta: what users surprised us with

Table of Contents

• Launching the Beta

• User Feedback That Surprised Us

• Features We Added Thanks to Feedback

• What We Learned

• Conclusion

Launching the Beta

When we first set out to launch RAMS AI, we had a clear mission — to simplify construction safety documentation in the UK. We knew creating Risk Assessments, Method Statements, and the like could be time-consuming and, frankly, a bit of a headache for busy professionals. So, we rolled up our sleeves and built a platform designed to make the process faster, easier, and CDM 2015-compliant.

Of course, launching a beta version of any software is always an adventure. You’ve tested it to the ends of the earth (or so you think), but once you let real users loose on it, all bets are off. And that’s exactly what happened when we invited construction professionals to try RAMS AI. What we thought would be a fairly predictable exercise turned into a bit of an eye-opener — not least because of the surprising feedback we received!

User Feedback That Surprised Us

Let’s just say, our users weren’t shy about sharing their thoughts. From glowing praise to constructive criticism (and the occasional cheeky comment), we received a treasure trove of feedback. While some of it was exactly what we expected other bits were downright surprising.

Unexpected Banter

For example, one user suggested that we add motivational quotes to the dashboard, claiming it might help encourage site managers to tackle their paperwork with a bit more gusto. “Nothing like a cheerful ‘Safety first!’ to brighten your day,” they quipped. We’re still debating whether Winston Churchill quotes are the right fit, but the idea gave our team a good laugh!

Button Confusion

Another revelation? The “Submit” button apparently sparked confusion among several users who couldn’t decide if they were submitting a document for review or launching it into the abyss. “Does this button send my RAMS to the Health and Safety Executive or just save it?!” one user joked. Glad we cleared that up!

Surprising Use Case

Perhaps the biggest surprise came from a user who revealed they were using RAMS AI to prepare documentation for a very niche project — a treehouse construction site. Yes, you read that correctly. It turns out, even treehouses need Risk Assessments. Who knew?

Features We Added Thanks to Feedback

Beta testing isn’t just about uncovering bugs; it’s also an opportunity to refine and improve based on real-world needs. Thanks to user feedback, we’ve already implemented a few new features that we hadn’t initially planned for. Here is one of the highlights:

Auto-Suggest Hazards

A popular addition was the auto-suggest hazards feature. Initially, RAMS AI provided a dropdown menu of common hazards for users to select. But some users felt this was a bit limiting. “Can’t the system just suggest hazards based on my project type? Surely you’ve got the data!” Well, we certainly do, and now the platform uses AI to suggest relevant hazards automatically based on the nature of your work — whether it’s scaffolding, demolition, or, yes, treehouse building.

What We Learned

Beta testing is teaching us a lot, not just about what our users need but also about how they think. Here are some key takeaways:

1. People want clarity: Whether it’s buttons, menus, or instructions, users value clear, straightforward language. Even the smallest ambiguity can lead to confusion — and sometimes amusing comments.

2. The little things matter: Features we initially considered minor, like colour coding or shortcuts, often turned out to be game-changers for productivity. Lesson learned: never underestimate the power of small tweaks!

3. Construction pros are creative: From treehouse builders to bespoke project managers, our users are finding inventive ways to use RAMS AI. It’s inspiring to see how adaptable the platform can be.

Overall, it’s been an invaluable experience that’s helped us make RAMS AI even better for the construction community. And we’re not done yet — constant improvement is the name of the game.

Conclusion

Our beta journey is both enlightening and entertaining, from unexpected feedback to surprising use cases. We’ve listened, learned, and adapted, and continue to do so, and we’re proud to say RAMS AI is now more user-friendly and feature-rich than ever because of you.

Got your own feedback or ideas for improvement? We’d love to hear them. As a platform built for the construction safety community, your input is what drives us forward. Let’s make CDM 2015 compliance as smooth and stress-free as possible — one clever feature at a time.

If you haven’t tried RAMS AI yet, now’s the perfect time. Join the hundreds of professionals already streamlining their safety documentation with us. It’s fast, efficient, and — dare we say — a bit fun, too.