My first ICM project an Energy Tracker for Neurodivergent minds

The project started with a conversation with a trainee ADHD coach who was having friction engaging some of her participants. I mentioned to her a DIY energy tracker I'd used years ago, built from instructions I found online. It was crude but did the job as a great tool for engaging a young team I was managing at the time. It surfaced something they were potentially unaware of and gave them something to work with.

The thought: could I use

@Jake Van Clief

's ICM to build something quick and dirty as a proof of concept to demonstrate what we were discussing?

I found my original notes from 27 March 2017, 09:24. Set to work with Jake's Workspace Builder.

Onboarding: Workspace Builder

Q1: Neurodivergent-Centric Interactive Tool Development.

Q2: Transform complex neurodivergent challenges into simplified, interactive visual snapshots and tracking tools through a process of concept ideation, cognitive load mapping, and accessible UI assembly.

Q3: The primary user is a creative developer specialising in ADHD/Neurodivergent solutions with an intermediate-to-advanced skill level in AI-guided coding and Google Antigravity environments.

Q4: 5 Stages

1. Context Mapping (defining the specific neurodivergent challenge);

2. Logic Structuring (data architecture);

3. UI/UX Generation (applying the "Snapshot" design system);

4. Interactive Testing (refining UX/feedback loops);

5. Deployment. The Logic Structuring stage is skippable for simpler, purely visual tools.

ICM Workspace built.

The Brief as entered:

I want to build an online Energy Level Tracker like the one here: https://collegeinfogeek.com/track-body-energy-focus-levels/ by Thomas Frank. I want the website to ping someone on the hour and send a text or message with the form that they then enter their input. This is then tracked and a chart produced over time to give them their best time of day for energy levels. I would like it to be free.

I have a SiteGround Geek subscription I want to make use of, to send a link to someone for them to log energy levels over a week.

The Solution

An automated Energy Level Tracker that removes all friction from data collection.

One-Click Logging: Sends an hourly notification (Email/SMS) with 4 coloured rating buttons (1-4). One tap logs the data instantly and importantly no logins, no forms.
Progressive Dashboards: To prevent overwhelm, the UI starts simple for the first 6 days. On day 7, it unlocks an advanced insights dashboard with detailed charting. *Note: initially this was a single simple dashboard.
Advanced Insights: Beyond basic averages, it visualises "Energy Momentum" (where your energy is heading) and "Engagement Radar" to map executive function patterns. This was added afterwards as an iteration from feedback.

Tech stack: PHP, MySQL, Chart.js. Self-hosted and designed for a premium, dark-mode aesthetic.

What I learned

The brief is everything. Aiming at Thomas Frank's website with that level of detail and images included aided the quality and success of this first project. I now KNOW how impactful the brief/PRD is to quality of output.
Solve your own friction. I'm somewhat technically literate but do not code. Engaging in the process with experiential learning helps you overcome that friction, whether it's perceived or real.
Don't settle for basic. Even as a first project, you can achieve a premium feel. Modern CSS and a good visualisation library like Chart.js make a tool you actually want to use every day. I continued to iterate with the Advanced Insights after feedback from real human test users and the unlock dashboard after 6 day period.

Quality is possible on your first go if you have a clear vision and the right brief albeit my right brief was luck more than judgement.

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