Optimizing Asset Management
The problem
This project was focused on the digitization of asset maintenance, utilization and optimization. The processes were carried out manually with data heavy documents being maintained and updated by the staffs. With the absence of digital data-visualization components, it put a lot of cognitive load on the Regional Finance Managers who had to review the data and work on profitability aspects. Along with asset management, there came the need for user management, too, for owners who were responsible for purchasing or leasing the assets.
My approach to the problem
I first mapped the stakeholders for this project and sat with them to deep dive into the product discovery. I conducted a workshop to co-create the product ecosystem. I always ensure to have a user-centred approach in my design thinking process. So, researching about the users is a crucial task for me. Before meeting the users, I quickly chalked out what I know about them from reviewing the existing artifacts and what is unknown to me.
Product ecosystem mapping workshop in progress
User research work in progress
I also conducted a field research by meeting the users in their actual work location to observe and learn. It allowed me to get to the voice of the user at its core. By identifying personas, journey bottlenecks, and feature priorities, this method inspired in the creation of user-centric solutions. Conducting the ethnographic research was a good opportunity to help me develop the personas. I created an empathy map with this to help the team structure the product around users' feelings. Empathy maps let us know minor details about the consumers and how they behave, analyzing their likings and dislikings.
Field research in progress
Persona creation work
Empathy map
This led to the journey map workshops and establishing a user-centered culture within the team. It definitely helped the team to change their perspectives and empathize with the user and tie user goals with business objectives. The workshop helped the team realize what users think and want as opposed to making assumptions in vacuum.
User journey mapping workshop
Creating reusable templates for current and future state user journeys
With the users in mind, first and centre, my co-designer and I brainstormed ideas on the product. We considered the purpose and the feedback gathered from the research sessions, and translated them into the product design. Based on the brainstorming sessions, we created lo to mid-fi wireframes and reviewed them with the users and product and engineering teams to make sure we flag as challenges and constraints.
Design brainstorming sessions
When brainstorming on the designs, we had to research a lot on data visualization techniques and conduct a comparative study on different products and tools to gather data and insights. This platform was going to be data heavy and the priority was to reduce the cognitive load of the users. Though this product was a new implementation, we made sure to conduct a consistency review with other products within the organization across different business units. This would ensure that different products across platform provide the same experience, although each had it's own unique purpose to solve.
Images used from other products for research purposes
Experience consistency research with other products within the organization
The wireframes were iterated based on the feedback we received throughout the process. Next, we facilitated a visual identity workshop with the team, to agree on the look and feel for the product. The moodboards we created reflected the organization's brand style and design system.
The high fidelity designs
The takeaways
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Field study helps to get a first-hand experience of learning about the users, their behaviors and expectations.
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Co-creating journey maps with cross functional team members from product, engineering, project management, marketing and sales encourages a user-centered culture and helps the team to take better product decision.
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There are challenges in every project. Crafting a way to deal with challenges is crucial. In this project, we had continuous feedback sessions to make sure we are in the right direction. Making other team members a part of the process builds trust.