The problem
Picture as the CEO of a company, you’re struggling with managing multiple projects, so optimizing processes will help deliver high-quality work efficiently
Effective project management is essential for a company involved in manufacturing to monitor the project’s status and ensure it progresses as planned.
The Challenge
Enhance the platform to encompass all project phases and address user pain points and business goals.
The Idea
Establish consistency through a design system to efficiently address pain points and achieve business goals.
Product Design Challenge
My work
I contributed to developing the project management platform.
As I immersed myself in the manufacturing industry, I encountered numerous challenges, so I conducted user research, implemented designs, and developed better user experiences.
User personas created
7 main different users identified
Flows created
For each sprint 7 different flows across 3 squads.
User experience optimzed
50% of the time to quote reduced
3 external tools removed
Access to external users
Creation of the design system
Over 45 design components were designed.
Conducted user research
I identified user pain points, needs, and goals through various research frameworks, aligning them with the challenges faced by the manufacturing industry, where processes and projects have typically been handled manually.
Creation of prototypes
Testing main flows with 3 to 5 users
Product design focuses on identifying and addressing deeper problems to maximize customer and business value.
Problems solved
- Generate the quotation for the client’s request
- An early assessment of the project’s status and a clear understanding of its requirements were essential for business growth.
- Approved quotes are converted to purchase orders
- Repetitive tasks delayed converting quotes to purchase orders across multiple platforms.
- Create manufacturing partner work orders
- Monitoring the progress of manufacturing partners was vital to meeting project deadlines.
- Track progress and payment/delivery updates
- Maintaining a track of deliveries and payments is imperative to continued growth.
The solution
The platform provides a tailored solution that streamlines processes to address these challenges:
- Project delays
- Cost overruns
- Facilitate better decision-making
- Coordinate between on-site and remote teams
- Increase productivity
Before & after my work
Before
Inefficient Processes
The company’s quotation, and order tracking systems were outdated and not connected, which led to delays and errors.
Low User Adoption
Employees found the existing digital tools confusing and non-intuitive, resulting in resistance to using them.
Poor Scalability
The lack of a unified design framework made it difficult to scale the solution efficiently, as new features often clashed with existing ones.
After
Optimized and integrated processes
A number of processes were integrated and connected, so employees didn’t need to use external tools
Higher User Adoption
The intuitive interface and user-centered design encouraged employees to embrace the new system, increasing productivity and engagement.
Cohesive User Experience
Users now enjoy a consistent and intuitive experience across all parts of the management solution, enhancing usability and satisfaction.
PROS
- Several processes were successfully integrated into the platform, minimizing the need for external tools.
- Projects are automatically advanced based on completed actions.
- Documents required for progressing a project can be generated and downloaded at each phase of the project
Conclusion
The manufacturing industry is evolving and growing in Latin America. Countries like Mexico play a crucial role as nearshoring hubs for companies in the USA and support other sectors within the region. As this industry develops, it faces many challenges. To continue this growth, it is essential to implement project management practices that can effectively track and control all phases of a project, ensuring successful delivery regardless of its size.
As a Product Designer, I focus on solving problems and delivering value to the company. I find it rewarding to design projects that manage various user needs and goals while also challenging myself to address these issues effectively.