Revitalizing a Legacy Product

Company: Pearson
Role: UX Designer
Duration: November 2023 – Present
Team Size: 11

Overview

As a UX Designer, I am leading the redesign of a legacy assessment building tool widely used by educators. Over time,  had become outdated, suffering from performance issues, inconsistent user interfaces, and inefficient collaboration features. Due to limited access to end-users, we incorporated Pragmatic Usability Rating by Experts (PURE) evaluations into our research process to assess usability and inform design decisions. Additionally, we implemented a cohesive design system to align it to the Pearson Authoring Content Ecosystem of products, and integrated edge computing to enhance performance and user experience. This case study outlines the challenges faced, the approaches taken, and the outcomes achieved in modernizing this legacy assessment authoring product.

The Challenge

An Outdated Tool Struggling to Keep Up

• Fragmented User Interface: Years of incremental updates had left the tool with inconsistent design elements and confusing navigation paths.
• Performance Issues: Reliance on constant internet connectivity resulted in slow load times and lagging interactions.
• No Offline Capabilities: Users were tethered to internet access, limiting flexibility for those in remote areas or with unreliable connections.
• Inefficient Collaboration Features: Outdated tools lacked support for real-time collaboration, hindering teamwork and slowing content creation.
• Limited Access to End-Users: Direct user research was constrained, necessitating alternative methods to understand user needs.

My Role

As the UX Designer, I was at the helm of this transformation:

• Research & Analysis: Conducted comprehensive system audits and coordinated with usability experts to pinpoint key issues.
• Design System Creation: Developed a cohesive design system with accessible, reusable components to ensure consistency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partnered closely with developers to integrate edge computing technologies and enhance performance.
• Enhancing Collaboration Tools: Redesigned features to support both real-time and asynchronous teamwork.
• Testing & Iteration: Led iterative design cycles, refining solutions based on expert feedback.

Our Approach

1. Understanding the Problems

• System Audit: We started by identifying inconsistencies in the user interface and pinpointing performance bottlenecks that frustrated users.
• Expert Evaluations: Collaborated with usability experts to simulate user interactions using Pragmatic Usability Rating by Experts (PURE), uncovering deep-rooted usability issues.

2. Crafting a Unified Design System

• Establishing Core Principles: Simplicity, consistency, and accessibility became our guiding lights.
• Building a Component Library: Incorporated standardized UI components from the PACE design system and created new assessment components to ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience across the platform.
• Comprehensive Documentation: Provided clear guidelines to keep designers and developers aligned and maintain consistency.

3. Enabling Offline Functionality & Enhancing Performance with Edge Computing

• Local Data Processing: Shifted data processing tasks to the client side, reducing dependence on network speed and improving responsiveness.
• Improved User Experience: Users enjoyed faster load times and smoother interactions, making the tool feel more dynamic and reliable.‍
• Offline Mode Implementation: Allowed educators to work without an internet connection, increasing flexibility and productivity for educators and vendors globally.
• ‍Seamless Synchronization: Developed automatic syncing processes to update changes once reconnected, ensuring data integrity.

5. Redesigning Collaboration Features

• Real-Time Collaboration: Introduced simultaneous editing capabilities with live presence indicators to enhance teamwork.
• Asynchronous Tools: Added features like commenting, annotations, and version control to support flexible collaboration schedules.

6. Iterative Testing and Refinement

• Continuous Feedback Loop: Employed expert evaluations to test prototypes, gathering insights for improvement.
• Prioritizing Usability Enhancements: Focused on changes that significantly impacted the user experience, ensuring each iteration added value.

Overcoming Challenges

Limited User Access

• The Hurdle: Without direct access to end-users, understanding their needs was challenging.
• Our Solution: Leveraged expert evaluations to gain valuable insights into user behaviors and preferences.
• The Outcome: Identified and addressed critical usability issues, ensuring the redesign was aligned with user expectations.

Technical Integration of Edge Computing

• The Hurdle: Integrating new technologies without disrupting existing functionalities required careful planning.
• Our Solution: Worked hand-in-hand with the development team to navigate technical complexities and ensure seamless integration. Phased approach allowed us to implement updates in segments across the product to minimize disruptions across multiple time zones.
• The Outcome: Enhanced performance without compromising the stability or reliability of the tool.

Maintaining Legacy Support

• The Hurdle: Updating the tool risked disrupting established user workflows and content compatibility.
• Our Solution: Conducted thorough testing to ensure new features were compatible with legacy content and workflows.
• The Outcome: Provided a smooth transition for users, minimizing disruption and maintaining trust.

Results & Impact

Performance Enhancements

• Faster Load Times: Reduced content loading times, allowing educators and vendors to access and save work more efficiently.
• Smooth Interactions: Improved system responsiveness led to a more engaging and less frustrating user experience.

Improved User Experience

• Consistent Interface: The cohesive design system simplified navigation and reduced cognitive load, making the tool more intuitive.
• Offline Capabilities: Enabled users to work anytime, anywhere, significantly increasing flexibility and productivity.

Enhanced Collaboration

• Empowered Teamwork: New collaboration features streamlined content creation and review processes.
• Positive Feedback: Early adopters reported higher satisfaction rates and noted improvements in efficiency and teamwork.

Stakeholder Approval

• Recognition: Internal stakeholders praised the strategic approach and tangible improvements.
• Confidence in Direction: The successful redesign reinforced confidence in the product's future and its alignment with market needs.

Lessons Learned

Embracing Alternative Research Methods

• Value of Expert Evaluations: In the absence of direct user access, expert insights were invaluable for identifying and addressing usability issues.
• Maintaining User-Centric Focus: Ensured that every design decision prioritized the end-user's needs and expectations.

Importance of a Cohesive Design System

• Consistency is Key: A unified design system not only enhanced usability but also made future updates more manageable.
• Facilitating Team Collaboration: Provided a common language and set of tools for designers and developers, improving efficiency.

The Power of Collaboration

• Cross-Functional Partnerships: Close collaboration with developers and stakeholders was crucial for overcoming technical challenges and aligning goals.
• Effective Communication: Regular check-ins and transparent discussions kept the project on track and allowed for timely issue resolution.

Moving Forward

• User Testing Post-Launch: Plan to conduct comprehensive user testing to validate our assumptions and gather real-world feedback.
• Continuous Improvement: Establish mechanisms for ongoing user input to continually refine and enhance the tool.
• Scaling Innovations: Apply successful strategies and technologies from this project to other products within the company for a cohesive brand experience.

Conclusion

Transforming a legacy tool into a modern, efficient platform is no small feat, especially when faced with significant challenges like limited user access and technical complexities. This project showcased the impact of innovative problem-solving, cross-functional collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to user-centered design. By embracing new technologies and methodologies, we not only revitalized the tool but also set a new standard for future projects. The experience reinforced that with the right approach and team, it's possible to overcome obstacles and deliver solutions that truly meet the evolving needs of users.

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