efficiency through automation for hr appraisals

Redesigning HR Performance Appraisal with automated processes that enables HR teams to focus more on strategic initiatives and reduce time spent on manual work.

aligning user goals with business Goals

stakeholder & User interviews

I interviewed stakeholders from diverse teams and users to understand V1 Legacy version of Performance and what they envisioned in the new SaaS version. Stakeholders included VP of Product, Director of Product, HR Director, QA Engineers, Backend Engineers, Front End Engineers and Data Analytics specialist. QA and Data Analyst provided me with the metrics which helped me understand how well the is working for current users.

I interviewed the current users of V1 Legacy version to understand their pain points and improvements needed in the new frature.

These interviews provided internal feedback, which I aligned it with user feedback, and prioritized design changes.

Team Brainstorming

I collaborated with Product Managers to brainstorm the solution.

DESIGN SYSTEM

I created System Style Guide which leveraged UI patterns and code components needed to build products coherently across devices and modules.

usability testing

Qualitative user testing was conducted using usertesting.com using the final interactive prototype. This helped me refine the final design solution before it went for development.

 I tested and validated the designs early and often with hi fidelity interactive prototypes in InVision. My users included HR Director and HR Assistant. I monitored live User Testing. Advantage of early stage testing helped me make changes to the design and test new features. I conducted accessibility evaluation to make sure the application is in compliance with ADA best practice for Accessibility and WCAG 2.0 guidelines for Web and Mobile application in User Interface design and frontend development.

CHALLENGES

There were many design challenges in this project. Based on Heuristic Evaluation, the Legacy application had many deficiencies.

Consistency and Standards: Lack of UI conventions and existing standards misled users in what to expect and how to operate the interface. The system needed plenty of work around to achieve a user task. Users were given training to learn work around

Solution: Creating a Design System helped maintain Visual consistency across all modules and devices of HRAdvocate application. In new design, I have carefully designed the User Interface such that the use can accomplish multiple goals in a single screen with least amount of clicks.

User Control and Freedom: The user was not in control of the interaction, if user made a mistake there was no way to undo it clearly.

Solution: I have included “Cancel” and “Save” buttons which gives user “Control” and “Freedom” over actions taken to undo them or just exit out easily using “x” icon. Also the UI feature allows user to remove a template incase it was created accidentally or now the user has change of mind.

Flexibility and Efficiency of use: Users had to be trained to use V1 Legacy version, most user interfaces were difficult to use for inexperienced users.

Solution: In V2, I have designed the User Interface such that it is more intuitive and most likely will drive the user to complete a task with ease. These User Interface have been user tested before developed.

Match Between the System and the Real World:The information was not delivered in a logical order. Information Architecture lacked structure.

Solution: I designed Information Architecture using Card Sorting method and applied it for Menus, Labeling Menu items so that users can easily find the information to complete the task, using Back-Next Buttons in Wizards. and designing logic in the task flow as well.

Visibility of System Status. There was no notifications for users’s actions leaving the user confused about the system’s task flow.

Solution: In my UI designs, I have provided the user with notifications at every action of the tasks. For example I have provided the user with “Confirmation” notification for adding a task or deleting a task.

Error Prevention: The V1 application lacked in checking for errors and presenting users with users with a confirmation dialog.

Solution: I have provided “*” for “Required” fields across the platform in all the forms where appropriate and informed the user with error message and toaster messages.

Help and Documentation: The V1 application lacked user assistance across the application.

Solution: The HRAdvocate HCM application has system wide help assistance via global search on any word or topic. Also, there are help icons across Performance Appraisal and other modules in HRAdvocate application.