BuildToday

A web application that connects businesses with contract workers.

Build Today is a non-profit organization that connects businesses with contract workers. I worked with a team of 11 to uncover the root cause of declining revenue and developed an automated system that improved efficiency.

Build Today used manual processes for data collection, causing inefficiencies and delays in connecting businesses with contract workers. How can we automate this and create an all-in-one solution to improve workflow and user experience?

Problem

As the lead researcher, I conducted user research, created wireframes, and worked with UI designers and developers to implement an automated solution. This improved workflow efficiency and reduced project managers' workload by 3 hrs/week.

Outcome

Role

Lead Researcher

Team

4 Engineers, 2 Project Managers, 4 Designers, and 1 Researcher

Timeline

8 weeks plus development

The Problem

Lack of Automated Data Collection

Build Today lacked an automated platform for data collection, which significantly impacted their ability to efficiently connect businesses with contract workers.

The reliance on manual processes led to delays, errors, and overall dissatisfaction among users, hindering revenue growth and operational efficiency.

The objective was to develop a streamlined, automated solution that would enhance user experience and support the company's expansion in the growing freelance market.

Research Process

A Deep Dive into Stakeholder Needs

User-Centered Approach
I applied a user-centered approach to uncover the issues impacting revenue and user satisfaction. Insights were gathered from diverse user groups with distinct roles and responsibilities.

User Interviews

I conducted multiple rounds of interviews with:

  • Leadership: Interviewed the CEO and CFO to understand strategic objectives.

  • Project Managers: Focused on identifying workflow inefficiencies.

  • Business Owners & Contract Workers: Highlighted navigation difficulties and manual data entry issues.

Key Findings

Identifying Critical Issues

  1. Revenue Decline: Manual data collection slowed operations, causing a revenue drop.

  2. Overloaded Project Managers: Manual tasks led to delays and dissatisfaction among project managers.

  3. Communication Gaps: Business owners struggled to express needs, and contract workers missed job opportunities due to disorganized, untimely information.

The Solution

Centralized Automated Platform

I led ideation workshops with the design team and stakeholders to develop a centralized automated platform. Key features include:

  • Streamlined Onboarding: Automates tasks with an integrated checklist and chat for better communication.

  • Direct Incident Reporting: Allows business owners to submit requests quickly.

  • Customizable Notifications: Tailored alerts for contract workers based on skills.

  • Document Management: Centralized storage accessible from contractor dashboards.

Outcome

Reducing Project Managers' Workload by an Average of 3 Hours per Week

The centralized automated platform transformed Build Today’s workflow, replacing manual tasks with a streamlined, user-friendly system.

Project managers reported a workload reduction of 3 hours per week, allowing them to focus on strategic tasks. The improved communication and document management boosted job matches and project completions, leading to increased revenue.

Additionally, the platform reduced staffing needs, resulting in cost savings. Continued testing will ensure the platform evolves with user needs.

Reflection

BuildToday was an insightful experience that deepened my understanding of diverse user needs, from business owners to contract workers. Conducting user interviews and creating wireframes allowed me to address pain points and streamline processes for an automated platform.

This project sharpened my research and ideation skills while emphasizing the importance of aligning design decisions with real-world challenges. It was fulfilling to see how collaboration can lead to impactful solutions.