SCM Redesign — Cut decision-making time by 40%
A redesign of an enterprise supply chain management dashboard to improve clarity and decision-making. My Role: Led user research, prototyping, and frontend implementation in partnership with engineering. Impact: Reduced executive decision-making time by 40%, significantly improving operational efficiency. Scale: Deployed across 4,000+ daily users.
Problem
Executives had difficulty gaining a comprehensive view of the organizational purchase activity. They also couldn't find and execute the purchase orders they had put into the application. Many screens data was inaccurate, and the links and buttons failed to work. I was told I had one sprint of developer time to fix this or they would outsource the project to get it done right.
Solution
The SCM dashboard provided executives with a clear, centralized view of purchasing activity. Users reported faster decision-making, reduced manual tracking, and higher confidence in understanding organizational spend. The dashboard improved approval efficiency and provided actionable insights for strategic planning. This highly successful win gave me the opportunity to lead on a redesign and rework of the rest of the application.
1. This Activity Feed had nothing actionable. 2. Form didn't work. 3. Wasted space we could utilize as a dashboard.
Research and Discovery
I conducted interviews with executives and procurement managers to understand their needs and challenges. I also reviewed usage data and analyzed common approval bottlenecks. Key findings included:
Executives lacked a single view of purchase requests and approvals.
Manual tracking created delays in approval workflows.
Users wanted dashboards that highlighted pending actions, trends, and historical insights at a glance.
Design Process
Ideation and Sketching
Created initial sketches of a dashboard layout featuring tabs for ‘Purchase Requests,’ ‘Approved to Proceed,’ and ‘Historical Data.’ Designed filters and visual indicators to help executives quickly identify key items. Added an 'Acitivy Feed' for them to quickly see activity to act on at a glance.
Wireframing
Developed low-fidelity wireframes in Figma to align layout and information hierarchy with stakeholders.
Prototyping
Built a high-fidelity interactive prototype including:Real-time status of purchase requestsClear access to historical purchase dataFiltering and search for quick decision-making
User Testing and Iteration
Conducted usability testing sessions with executives. Feedback included:The dashboard made it easy to see outstanding requests at a glanceHistorical trends and status were much easier to analyzeIterated on visual hierarchy and labeling to improve clarity and speed of use.
Outcome
Improved Task Efficiency
Achieved a 40% reduction in the time required to complete tasks and find necessary information. This significant improvement in efficiency led to faster decision-making and better productivity for both high-level executives and managers.
Users reported that the redesigned tool allowed them to perform their duties more effectively, reducing frustration and enhancing their overall work experience.
Positive User Feedback
Received strong positive feedback from users regarding the new interface and functionality. Executives and managers praised the ease of use and the intuitive design that aligned with their workflow needs.
User satisfaction surveys and direct feedback indicated a substantial improvement in the tool’s usability and overall user experience.
Avoided Outsourcing and Met Deadlines
Successfully met project deadlines and delivered the redesigned tool without the need for outsourcing. This achievement demonstrated effective in-house project management and design leadership under pressure.
The timely completion of the project not only prevented additional costs but also reinforced the value of maintaining the project within the company.
Enhanced Business Outcomes
The redesign contributed to higher operational efficiency and productivity, positively impacting the company’s overall performance. The improved tool supported better supply chain management and facilitated more streamlined business processes.
The success of the project underscored the importance of user-centered design in achieving measurable business results and enhancing user satisfaction.
