Case study for AllocateIT

AllocateIt: A Feasibility Case Study in UX/UI Design and Supply Chain Innovation

This case study outlines the work conducted at an Australian furniture design company where I led the AllocateIt project. The objective was to explore the viability of streamlining supply chain management through a semi-automated SaaS (Software as a Service) platform.

The AllocateIt project aimed to develop a standalone web application with specific functionalities:

• Integration with ecommerce platforms such as Shopify.
• Automation of stock allocation at various stages of the supply chain.

Although never implemented, the project serves as a comprehensive case study, illuminating my expertise in UX/UI design and product management.

UX Research

The research phase commenced with qualitative studies to understand the interactions among customers, salespersons, warehouse staff, and factory workers along the supply chain. It became apparent that salespersons often custom-ordered products without considering available stock—either in the warehouse or en route from the overseas factory.

Through diaries maintained by the sales team, we learned that their reluctance to allocate existing stock stemmed from uncertainty about its availability and ownership. Thus, a significant gap was identified: the inability to allocate stock items during shipping.

Problem Definition

From the research data, we articulated the problem as follows: How can a SaaS product instil confidence in salespersons to allocate items effectively, thereby improving delivery times for customers and enhancing organisational profitability?

Design Prototyping with Figma

Figma emerged as the optimal tool for this project, owing to its robust features that facilitate quick iterative design and collaboration. This tool enabled us to explore different design frameworks and smoothly transition from wireframes to functional prototypes.

UX/UI Design Methodology

The design strategy was deeply entrenched in established methodologies. Utilising customer journey maps and workflow diagrams created during the UX research phase, we designed an intuitive and user-centric dashboard. This approach translated the complexities of supply chain management into user-friendly interfaces, enhancing the user experience.

Project Management and Leadership

As the project leader, my responsibilities extended beyond UX/UI design to encompass product management. I coordinated the entire project lifecycle, including market research, planning, and iterative testing. The objective was to evaluate how AllocateIt could address real-world challenges in supply chain management.

Exploratory Value and Feasibility Assessment

Even though AllocateIt was not launched, it served as an instructive feasibility study. The project demonstrated the utility of UX design methodologies in providing a user-centric approach to complex systems like supply chain management. It also offered invaluable insights into the feasibility of automated allocation processes within this industry.

Conclusion

AllocateIt serves as a paradigm that fuses UX/UI design principles with practical solutions to complex supply chain issues. It illustrates the potential of feasibility studies to shed light on innovative and optimisation possibilities within industry-specific challenges. This case study specifically highlights my capabilities in UX/UI design, technical expertise with tools such as Figma, and competence in product management.