Shiftsuite Platform Redesign
OVERVIEW
Shiftsuite is a prominent Condo Management Software Company that specializes in providing innovative solutions to streamline and optimize the management of condominiums. As the company evolved and expanded its offerings, it became evident that they required a new system to be designed for their product to meet the growing needs and demands of their clientele.
ROLE
Sole UX/UI Designer
Research, Wire framing, Visual design,
Research, Wire framing, Visual design,
Prototyping & Testing
July 2021 - March 2022
July 2021 - March 2022
Two Week Sprints
Background
Shiftsuite is describes themself as the World’s Best Condominium & Strata Software Ecosystem. Learn more about Shiftsuite here.
I joined Shiftsuite as a contract product designer, the sole designers in a company comprised of over 20 engineers. My role involves supporting design across the Shiftsuite product and leading UX and UI efforts for key sections of the application side of the platform.
I have experienced significant growth and achieved the following milestones:
Implemented a structured design process that has provided our team with more clarity and allowed other teams to gain visibility.
Enhanced the usability of the platform by actively conducting design research. Previously, there was no research conducted by the external consultancy before handing off to development.
Introduced a design kit to ensure consistency in the appearance and user experience across different areas of the platform.
Created a design system, enabling the Engineering and Product teams to better understand the reasoning behind our design decisions and the implementation of specific components over others.
Feature List
As part of my role, I went the extra mile by categorizing the various features of the platform into broader Epics. This classification offered both Product managers and engineers clear visibility into the critical areas that required attention from a usability perspective. By doing so, we could prioritize usability issues based on their urgency, allowing us to shape the product roadmap effectively.
The information architecture played a crucial role in this process because it significantly impacted the overall usability of the product. A well-organized information architecture ensures that the platform's structure and navigation are intuitive and user-friendly. It helps users easily find what they need and understand how different components relate to each other. By optimizing the information architecture, we could enhance the user experience, leading to higher user satisfaction and engagement with the platform. Additionally, a user-friendly information architecture can reduce the learning curve for new users and improve overall efficiency for experienced users, making it a vital aspect of our product's success.
Wire framing
Based on these features, I focused on finding solutions to address these challenges. Some of the potential solutions I worked on are as follows:
Simplifying the process: To reduce the time taken for completion, I aimed to minimize the number of steps required to complete tasks.
Enhancing visual hierarchy: I grouped related fields together to establish a clearer visual hierarchy within the form, making it easier for users to navigate and understand the information flow.
To gather feedback on these proposed solutions, I rapidly created basic wireframes. These wireframes allowed me to obtain valuable input from various stakeholders, including Product, Engineering, and the end-users. By incorporating their insights, I refined the overall layout and structure of the wizard form and established a standardized visual hierarchy and layout for future wizard components, ensuring an improved user experience.
The Design
Based on these features, I focused on finding solutions to address these challenges. Some of the potential solutions I worked on are as follows:
User Info
Consent Forms
Package Delivery
User Updates
Discussion Form
Fianl Takeaways
Following the implementation of the new rebuild of the Shiftsuite Platform, there has been a notable reduction in the volume of complaints registered through the service desk. Moreover, I have received favorable responses from users regarding the streamlined configuration process for their Audiences, resulting in substantial time savings.
Key insights drawn from this project encompass several significant aspects:
1. Strategically Crafting an MVP - Developing a strategic plan for launching a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is extremely valuable. This approach effectively addresses requests that fall outside the defined scope, mitigating the risk of project derailment. It ensures the timely delivery of a high-quality product.
2. Ongoing User Testing - The process of user testing doesn't conclude with development. Design remains an ongoing iteration, consistently focused on enhancing the end-user experience. Continuously seeking ways to gather and attentively consider user feedback is imperative.
3. Early Engagement of Engineering - Incorporating engineering considerations at the outset proves beneficial. This proactive involvement minimizes the need for subsequent revisions by aligning design strategies with technical constraints. A comprehensive understanding of technical limitations guides the design process effectively.
These takeaways underscore the importance of a well-structured MVP launch, the persistence of user-focused design improvements, and the collaborative engagement of engineering in design decision-making. These factors collectively contribute to the successful evolution and enhancement of the Shiftsuite Platform.
