Contracting Solutions

The Problem

MCI’s Track Platform is intended to achieve a secure, reliable, scaleable, modular architecture using best of breed technology that is relevant to specific verticals and personas and offers predictive/prescriptive guidance, pinpoint-accurate training, better value for all contracting strategies and LEM is insight-driven with key automations and offers truly consolidated reporting and analytics.

We have observed that the product isn’t meeting these goals which is causing lost MMR, negative perception by our client & their vendors, more difficult cross-selling and upselling, failure to create enhancements on a competitive scale and it’s preventing us from focusing on revenue generating activities, all of which may cause us to lose market share in the short term due to massively increased competition.

How might we improve the Track platform so that our customers are more successful based on reduced time to complete common workflows with mobile and desktop devices alike, enhanced prescriptive best-practices and faster access to the features they demand the most.

Client Collaboration and Results

The myTrack software includes a comprehensive set of features:

1. Tracking of labor, equipment, and materials
2. Purchase order and cost object spend
3. Management of remote workforce
4. Safety monitoring
5. Compliance monitoring
6. Finance-related tools
7. Project expense forecasting
8. Project management capabilities
9. Analytics and dashboards for insights
10. Real-time reporting
11. Invoicing functionality
12. Integrations with other systems
13. Support for multiple languages and internationalization
14. AA compliance features

The Dashboard

The myTrack software’s analytics dashboard utilizes real-time data and widgets to provide users with daily updates on contractor performance, safety, integrations, cost control, and compliance. This allows for the rapid identification of potential issues like overspending, bottlenecks, or double billing.

Through collaboration with the product and customer service teams, we focused on identifying the most valuable information for users, streamlining the dashboard by removing unnecessary elements and incorporating essential features. As a result, the dashboard empowers users with quick insights into critical and time-sensitive data, prompting immediate action or further investigation. Each widget enables users to delve deeper into the data and easily navigate to relevant sections of the system that require attention.

Mobile Application

The mobile application required a much simpler solution to the vast web application. The legacy software did not offer a mobile solution so this was an entirely new area for the client to delve into.

We worked closely with product to understand what would need to be achieved on the go and what we could omit. The usability needed to be easy, efficient and not feel overwhelming, while still supplying all relevant data to make accurate cost and hour approvals in one place.

The dashboard provides the user with high level and drilled down data on estimated costs vs authorized costs per purchase order and on average. This allows the user to quickly discern whether they need to reject a cost request. The dashboard also provides information by date per location and organization.

The Design System

To support multiple departments within the organization, I created a comprehensive design system that serves as a one-stop shop for all aspects of the application.

The design system includes:

• Branding guidelines
• Design rules
• Product guidelines
• Accessibility features
• Developer code snippets
• Components and templates
• Writing guidelines
• Validations
• Performance and loading guidelines
• External resources
• Permissions
• and an index to help you find it all

This detailed document, maintained in Zeroheight, is shared across the entire organization and serves as a reference for developers and QA during the implementation of user stories. It ensures that requirements are consistently met. The design system includes visual and written examples, Dos and Don’ts for components, and guidelines for messaging, buttons, validations, labels, headings, and introductions.

Collaborating closely with development, product, and QA teams, the design system was carefully devised to encompass all necessary aspects and ensure thorough coverage. Any updates resulting from dynamic and agile process changes are promptly reflected in the design system.

Learnings and Outcomes

1. The old system used by major corporations has a lot of legacy and complexity in its features and user journeys for various personas, making it challenging to handle. Regular and open communication is crucial to overcome these challenges. Asking questions and challenging the current system can lead to better outcomes and time savings.
2. Taking a strategic approach is essential for such a large project. Understanding the most impactful changes for the business, exciting end users about the product, identifying quick wins, prioritizing features, and focusing on specific personas are all beneficial.
3. Effective communication between departments in a large corporate environment is vital, including changes in priority and documenting updates for everyone’s reference. Working with teams in different time zones requires alignment on common goals, and leveraging various time zones can accelerate project delivery.
4. User testing showed that our designs were well-received compared to the current application. Although there was some initial change aversion, users adapted quickly.
5. Improved user interface design brought a modern and competitive look to the application, ensuring ease of use for users, especially through the mobile application. Thoughtful decisions prevented the mobile app from simply duplicating the web app.
6. A positive client-team relationship built on trust can lead to holding the product to high standards and achieving a quality outcome.
7. Refining and reviewing stories before development reduces rework and uncertainty, leading to a smoother development process.
8. Unfortunately, AA compliance is often perceived as a lower priority in product management, which is an area that needs attention to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all users.

Results

The major improvements made to the old system were:

1. Introduced APIs and automation for seamless integration and efficient processes.
2. Modernized the design to give it a contemporary look and feel.
3. Restructured navigation for better user experience and ease of use.
4. Facilitated quicker decision making with improved information accessibility.
5. Reduced the time taken to complete tasks, leading to increased productivity.
6. Ensured improved consistency across the system for a smoother user journey.
7. Implemented a single-page application for a more fluid user experience.
8. Made the system responsive to adapt to various screen sizes and devices.
9. Introduced a mobile app for users to access the system on the go.
10. Reduced mistakes and risks with improved workflows and error prevention.
11. Automated and streamlined menial tasks to enhance efficiency.
12. Simplified onboarding processes for new users to get started quickly.
13. Ensured AA compliance for accessibility and inclusivity.
14. Optimized keyboard usage for enhanced navigation and ease of use.

Credits:

During the project, I collaborated with other talented designers, including Toni de Beer, Yuveshni Konar, and Taryn Griggs. Together, at iiimpact, we brought our expertise and creativity to achieve the remarkable improvements and developments in the system.

All visuals use dummy content for privacy and security reasons.