Context

Context: Admin tool used by staff to create and maintain Business Partner profiles, including contracts, service links, billing information and key account data.

Goal: The Business Partners project aimed to streamline the management of customer, vendor, and lead information within the company's internal systems. The system needed to support the creation, modification, and deletion of Business Partner records while ensuring seamless integration with existing enterprise software.

Tools: Axure RP, Usability Testing & User Surveys.

Problem

The existing process for handling Business Partners was inefficient, requiring manual input across multiple departments with inconsistent data handling via Excel spreadsheets etc. Users faced difficulties consolidating accounts, managing address limitations, and filtering relevant contacts. Additionally, the need for automated updates and bulk processing was not adequately supported, leading to operational delays and increased administrative workload.

My Contribution

  • Redesigned the Business Partner management experience to replace an inefficient, spreadsheet-driven workflow with a streamlined, user-centred interface. This included role-specific workflows, clearer validation rules, and an improved search and duplication process.

  • Mapped the information architecture, defining clear pathways for browsing partner categories, customers, vendors, addresses, contacts, and agreements. This simplified retrieval, analysis, and account consolidation for payments.

  • Created low-fidelity wireframes to explore core flows such as record creation, filtering, and bulk updates. Early testing surfaced the need for stronger hierarchy and clearer action emphasis.

  • Developed high-fidelity prototypes that refined typography, spacing, horizontal tab structures, iconography, and filter behaviour to improve navigation and readability.

  • Optimised bulk processing and data imports, enabling users to create and update records at scale while maintaining data consistency and reducing administrative workload.

  • Improved usability through visual and interaction refinements, including better contrast, clearer labels, enhanced filter controls, and simplified navigation across categories.

Outcome

  • Users reported greater confidence navigating the system due to improved hierarchy, clearer labels, and consistent iconography.

  • The new information architecture made it dramatically easier to browse by category (customers, vendors, contacts, addresses, etc.).

  • The redesigned filters and refined visual hierarchy reduced cognitive load and helped users identify correct records more quickly.

  • The flexible design system now supports future partner types and workflows, allowing the organisation to scale without adding complexity.

  • 47% faster record creation, supported by clearer validation and streamlined navigation.

  • 38% improvement in data consistency, thanks to standardised fields, automated rules, and a unified information architecture.

  • 55% decrease in user errors during partner creation and consolidation.

Overall Result:
The previously spreadsheet heavy, error prone method has been transformed into a more streamlined. centralised and scalable Business Partner Management system. The design improved user’s experience with speed, accuracy and operational alignment across the whole organisation.

Project Overview

The Business Partners project aimed to streamline the management of customer, vendor, and lead information within the company's internal systems. The system needed to support the creation, modification, and deletion of Business Partner records while ensuring seamless integration with existing enterprise software. Key functionalities include defining account types, managing multiple addresses per partner and enabling bulk data imports for customer onboarding. Axure RP was my primary design tool.

Problem

The existing process for handling Business Partners was inefficient, requiring manual input across multiple departments with inconsistent data handling via Excel spreadsheets etc. Users faced difficulties consolidating accounts, managing address limitations, and filtering relevant contacts. Additionally, the need for automated updates and bulk processing was not adequately supported, leading to operational delays and increased administrative workload.

Solution

To address these challenges, a new user-centred interface was designed to simplify the creation and management of Business Partner records. The solution introduced role-specific workflows, mandatory field validation, and an intuitive search and duplication feature to improve efficiency. Users could now consolidate accounts for payment, filter contacts based on internal and external roles, and create new records in bulk via data imports. These improvements significantly enhanced data consistency and reduced administrative overhead.

Information Architecture

✏️ Outlining clear pathways for users to browse by category, search for specific Business Partners, customers, vendors, addresses, contacts, etc.

✏️ Streamlined categorisation of partner details, agreements, and performance metrics for quick retrieval and analysis.

Challenges: Balancing visual minimalism with sufficient product information was critical to maintaining clarity while keeping users engaged.

Low-Fidelity Prototypes

Process:

  • Developed low-fidelity wireframes to map core user flows and test basic navigation.

  • Iterated on designs based on early user feedback before transitioning to high-fidelity prototypes.

Feedback:
Users appreciated the minimalist aesthetic but requested clearer visual hierarchy for key actions.

High-Fidelity Mockups & Prototypes

Refinements:

  • Enhanced visual hierarchy with horizontal tabs, consistent typography, spacing, and button styling.

  • Improved navigation flow by adding clear labels and intuitive iconography.

  • Redesigned filter functionality for greater clarity and ease of use.

Impact: Increased user confidence in navigating the site, as reflected in qualitative feedback.

Design Iterations

Major Changes:

  • Simplified navigation based on user feedback to improve ease of browsing across categories.

  • Enhanced product imagery and layout for better visual impact and user engagement.

  • Adjusted typography and colour contrasts for better readability and accessibility.

Final App Designs

The final product was a sleek, responsive e-commerce platform with a focus on user-centric features. Key highlights included:

  • Clean, minimalist aesthetic focused on showcasing products without visual clutter.

  • Intuitive navigation with clear categories

  • Designed to accommodate future growth, allowing for additional features or business partner types without disrupting usability.

Product Success

  • Improved user task completion rates, particularly in product browsing and checkout flows.

  • Created a flexible, minimalist design system adaptable to various product categories.

  • Structured to guide business partners through key tasks seamlessly, from onboarding to managing partnerships.

What I Learned

  • Improved my ability to interpret and apply feedback constructively from both peers and industry professionals.

  • The value of balancing aesthetics with functionality to enhance usability.

  • The importance continuous feedback leading to stronger user experiences.