Feedback from three usability tests guided the below final frameworks (mid-fi UI) using benchmarks like time on task, task completion success, NPS, and UMUX-Lite scores.
FINAL DESIGNS
Optimizing a Scalable Employee Engagement Framework
Completed pilot evaluation
Twelve weeks (No access to end users)
UX design and content copy
Three-month pilot evaluation and extensive user testing
Mid-Fi prototype (Barring final UI)
Team:
Product manager, lead developer, junior UX designer, graphic designer and QA
Internal team participants for broader insights and testing
MY ROLE
UX and Content Lead
I led a transformative project that focused on developing a scalable employee engagement framework, seamlessly integrating robust backend systems with intuitive front-end templates
Initially a basic news letter, Elevate was conceptualized as employee interaction framework to improve user engagement.
MARKET GAP CAPITALIZATION
Traditional employee apps were clunky with front-end that wasn't user-friendly, and the back-end lacked efficiency, leading to low engagement overall.
INFORMATION GATHERING
Active participation on Reddit and LinkedIn community forums and discussion boards, and competitive intelligence
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Due to budget constraints and the absence of a dedicated research phase, we relied on extensive literary research and market analysis.
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Online community insights gave us user preferences and pain points within engagement.
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Discovered Framework Improvement Opportunities (FIOs) in scalability and user interaction.
Validating discovered Framework Improvement Opportunities (FIOs) and existing user experiences.
PAIN POINT VALIDATION AND PRIORITIZATION
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For scenario testing and ideation, we leveraged 8 professionals from our in-house team across different fields.
Top pain points with most engagement apps included: -
Lack of global contribution
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Blind spots in community sentiments
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Low-engagement content
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High effort for low value
FIOs into actionable New Product Development (NPD) opportunities
PRODUCT IDEATION
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Analyzing scenario testing feedback, I conducted "How Might We" brainwriting workshop.
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I focused on enabling easy and inclusive participation by creating templates for various user actions, ensuring accessibility across the board.
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Streamlined content with presets for quick and efficient communication, enhancing productivity.
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We harnessed gamification, to boost participation within the app.
DESIGN CYCLE AND USABILITY SUCCESS
To abide by stakeholder directives, we adopted an unusual 'split design-testing' strategy.
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I designed and tested proposed frontend features, before coming back for the backend design of selected features.
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I crafted a service blueprint using the same modular-template system as that of the frontend. The result? A smashing 64% adoption rate in three months and rave reviews calling it "a delight to use."
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Peek at the detailed final frontend user flow diagram here!
Full interaction and automation service map
Enhanced Engagement Framework
We set up an engaging front-end powered by an intuitive, template-driven back-end. This dynamic duo tackled complex workflows with such ease that adoption rates soared.
*To comply with stakeholder preferences, I designed and user validated final front-end features before looping back to develop and test their corresponding backends.
Frontend Poll Interphase
Backend "Poll" Management
Adaptive Templates
Recognizing need for sustainability, I developed a modular, card-based system that ensured consistent performance across varying content volumes and streamlined administrative tasks.
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Scalable Templates: Built to adapt and evolve alongside user needs and company growth, ensuring flexibility and longevity
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Gamification: Integrating familiar social dynamics boosted user ease and engagement
Announcement Management Templates
Backend Copy Presets
I crafted quick, ready-to-use backend presets that perfectly aligned with the brand voice and standard, for consistent, and easy engagement across backend workflows.
Gamified Engagement
By introducing gamification, I transformed routine tasks into moments of triumph. This helped enhance recognition and morale.
User-Centric Frontend
The below final two features passed tesing to form the core of our frontend app features:
Daily Quests for Wellness
Encourages wellness activities with rewards and personal growth
Community Narrative
Keeps employees connected with dynamic updates and stories.
This project was a rare gem; a backend as intuitive and engaging as the frontend demonstrated the potential of backend systems to enhance overall user satisfaction
Deployment was halted due to shifts in market dynamics influenced by AI advancements and a realignment of cost-benefit expectations.
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It still served as an invaluable lesson in managing the complexities of perfecting frontend user flows and backend integrations.
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A reprioritization of traditional workflows and judicious resource allocation (lack of research buget and end-user) enhanced my strategic agility.
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It underscored the critical balance between front-end usability and back-end functionality, ultimately enriching my technical project management and UX design skills.
EVALUATION AND REFLECTIONS
Extended user testing and pilot phase evaluations
AI for Accessibility: If Redesigned Today
We could harness AI to personalize the pace of app interactions, including notifications and challenge responses, by analyzing user interaction patterns, response times, and navigational choices.
Technical Specification
Machine Learning & NLP: real-time NLP for contextual understanding and user behavior analytics with deep learning, including convolutional and recurrent neural networks, to refine app interactions and usability continuously.
Design Impact of the possible Ai integration
Integrating these AI capabilities will set the engagement app as a benchmark in adaptive and inclusive digital environments by mitigating cognitive overload