ISMT

Interviews & Synthesis

I started by planning and conducting interviews with users of the existing TMT application. I created a research plan, interview script, and recruited and scheduled interviews. In preparation for the interviews I reviewed all existing documentation on the TMT application, as well as examples of available data that had been processed through TMT. The interviews provided insight into their context of use, tasks performed in the application and how they fit in with their other tasks, needs, and painpoints in the existing process.

A new team was being assembled to create the replacement application, and I brought the developers, architect, and product manager into the synthesis stage to allow them to get deeper insight into the space and build empathy for our users. I led the cross-functional team through multiple workshop sessions of research synthesis, problem identification, and problem prioritization, which revealed crucial themes and resulted in 31 prioritized pain points. I then led the team through sessions of brainstorming and solution prioritization, culminating in a design studio where the team sketched solutions around 3 high priority scenarios.

Personas

Using the insights gained from the interviews, I identified and documented two personas. The personas were shared with the team and represented two distinct types of users who had differing goals for using the application, and types of tasks they needed to achieve. I used these to guide the design of the new application, ensuring that the needs of both personas were accounted for.

UI Design

At this point in the project, another UX resource was temporarily added to assist solely with UI design. We both sketched and designed screens for the interface of the new application, ISMT. We used Sketch to complete all high fidelity designs.

Usability Testing

As we progressed through screen design, I continually conducted usability testing on the screens with current users of TMT, handling all aspects of testing including planning, recruiting, executing, analysis, and reporting results. During testing I asked users to provide feedback and conduct typical tasks. Testing began with paper prototypes and progressed to higher fidelty prototypes that I created using Invision. I worked closely with the developers, regularly inviting them to observe testing, reporting feedback to them, and pairing with them as they implemented the updated final designs.

Once all screens in the application had at least an initial design completed, the other UX designer was moved off this project and replaced with a UX researcher/designer who supported me with testing, further iteration on designs, and adding additional functionality as new needs arose. I also served as a mentor to this resource, helping her grow in both her research and design skills. The team operated within an Aglie process, so testing and design changes were rapid and iterative to support the incremental releases.