crewmeister.com • 2015-2018
Office digitalisation for HR management tools
Research Design Prototyping Testing Handoff
I helped a local startup develop a workforce management solution (e.g. time tracking and vacation planning) for small enterprises. Starting from scratch, I designed and iterated the product to address new needs and collaborated closely with developers. Since the beginning of our collaboration, the startup has grown by 125% per year.
Design Process
Startup Consulting
Strategic Consulting
We started our collaboration with an initial tech & market analysis and mapping opportunities. That informed a roadmap which illustrated the growth of the platform from a single-feature service to a comprehensive system of HR tools across several touchpoints and for different personas.
Pulling insights out of marketing and CS data
Our research findings refined our understanding of specific needs and behaviors which we mapped and synthesised to create a competitive and future proof strategy that wouldn’t go up in smoke. All our insights were also formulated in appealing service design deliverables, such as roadmaps or other schematics that facilitated communication within the client’s org.
From single-feature service to toolsuite
Iteratively over 4 years, we created an extensive toolsuite of HR services. Initially starting with only time tracking, the ‘greater Crewmeister universe’ now also does shift planning, absence management and more while still being easy to navigate. Consistency across these tools is counterbalanced through color coding to avoid confusion.
Making digitalization inclusive for tech-averse audiences
Case Study
A particular design challenge was the users’ relationship with tech: Not being digital natives, users evidenced a strong tendency to avoid anything digital and were not familiar with even the most conventional patterns.
Wanting to provide added value to users while still staying competitive on the market of HR solutions meant we had to develop solutions that looked modern and appealing while also being incredibly user-friendly and self-explanatory.
We emphasised consistency, accessibility to create an inclusive user experience on a modern UI. Additionally, we streamlined feedback as a means to make users feel comfortable and confident and thereby more open to give the app a try.
Results
Originally starting with time tracking, Crewmeister is now a scaled platform that does a whole lot of HR processes, including absence management, regulatory compliance and shift management.
Over our time together, we continuously managed this growth (along with +150% users p.a.) within a consistent product portfolio that is now available on web, tablets as well as android and apple phones.
