Case Study – End-of-Life Data Planning

Data Management Software Design

Relationship-Based End-of-Life Data Planning

Design Challenge

      How can we help individuals create effective, meaningful plans for their digital assets at end-of-life, without overwhelming them?
    

Traditional estate planning approaches focused on inventorying assets left users feeling paralyzed and overwhelmed. My goal was to explore a more human-centered, emotionally supportive way to design end-of-life data planning tools.

Research Methods

Community-based Participatory Design
Co-Design Sessions (15 participants, age 25–71)
Thematic Analysis of Transcripts & Planning Artifacts
Iterative prototyping: Asset-Based (Inventory) → Relationship-Based (Workbook)

Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team including UX designers, software engineers, legal consultants, and grief counselors. Worked across stakeholders such as estate planning firms, hospice care providers, social media companies, and digital security experts to ensure comprehensive, empathetic solutions.

Addressing the Challenge

Through iterative user research, I pivoted from an asset-inventory model to a relationship-centered workbook approach, specifically designed to:

Start small to prevent overwhelm (focus on 1–2 key accounts)
Anchor planning in personal values and relationships (e.g., legacy, burden reduction)
Facilitate sessions hands-on to co-create achievable, personalized plans

Impact & Outcomes

100% of workbook participants created actionable end-of-life data plans, compared to 0% from the inventory group.

Participants reported higher confidence and emotional clarity
Plans reduced burden on loved ones
Highlighted the need for more relationship-driven tools in digital legacy management

Real-World Impacts

Established the nation’s first Digital Legacy Clinic, offering personalized support for managing online accounts, digital assets, and memorialization planning.
Provided free consultations to individuals and families navigating the complexities of digital life after death, including account access, closure, and legacy settings.
Developed public workshops and resources to empower communities with proactive strategies for preserving and protecting digital memories.