Brand new internal Apps and Designs

Creating a new UI from scratch for various internal applications of Sogeti

Brief

The Client

Sogeti is an IT company that mobilizes expert teams at large companies that create custom solutions from existing and emerging technologies. They specialize in various IT areas, such as Cloud, AI, Workplace Transformation, and especially testing; Sogeti has developed and train people into the software testing method “Test Management Approach” (TMap). The company currently employs roughly 2.500 people.

Sogeti just finished developing and launching their new intranet on the SharePoint platform to positive feedback. Following this, development for the new internal apps was started.

Their wishes

Sogeti’s old internal applications were reaching their end-of-life
state, being created many years ago with (now) deprecated technology and outdated design. Their age meant that a completely new set of applications would have to be developed, complete with an overhauled design and look&feel.

The new applications dealt with various internal (core) processes – like booking vacation hours, the listing, managing, and applying to new assignments, and creating/updating an employee’s resumé

I was asked to spearhead the new designs for these new applications together with a fellow designer.

Their challenges

Due to security concerns and relatively limited, the applications were to initially be made in Microsoft Power Apps. Though this accelerated certain processes, it also limited both the development and design in terms of capabilities and options. This was later changed to a custom solution, which allowed more freedom.

As the team was only just set up, requirements gathering by Business Analysts were still in full swing. This meant that some user stories were not yet properly defined. At the same time, the scrum/agile work process and environment were also still being set up.

My work inside Sogeti

I started working on the design of the first Power App, where employees can send in and be rewarded for assignments they’ve created for themselves or others. I worked together with my fellow designer by alternating between creating designs from scratch, and iterating on my colleague’s new designs. This way, each part of the design was created, improved, and checked upon by the both of us, resulting in an overall better result. All designs were also made into clickable prototypes, where I took special care to showcase and polish the interaction design and applicable states/conditions of each screen of each app.

As there were still some undefined functionalities which could influence the design, I regularly sat down with the Business analysts as well, and assisted in requirement gathering and refinement as needed.

Time and work progressed, and it became clear that Power Apps wouldn’t be enough to cover all of the must-have requirements of the applications. After some deliberation, we were able to switch over to custom solution which allowed more freedom in both development and designing. This did mean having to rework the designs already created for the new solution. Thanks to the iterative way of working with my colleague, the translation went relatively smooth.

As design work started on the other apps, my fellow designer and I kept on working iteratively with each other. Not only did this result in better designs, it also created robust, reusable elements that would accelerate work on other apps for both us designers and developers alike.

Lastly, I also collaborated with the Scrum Master with setting up Agile rituals throughout the project. I assisted in steering and gave advice on them, and setting up the Azure DevOps environment for Agile working.

Results and testimonials

After months of meetings, designing, and iterating, the designs of over half a dozen applications were worked out of varying complexity. This included clickable prototypes and specifications/support for developers to bring the designs to life.

The internal applications are now live. They have received great feedback and are used daily by the employees of Sogeti. Below you’ll find the design results of some of the applications, and testimonials of colleagues who I worked with together on this project.

MijnCV Application

Colleague testimonials

"I see Terry as an experienced UX designer who is active in meetings to find out what the real question is. You subsequently try to visualize the various options so that the stakeholders have a good view of the possible solutions. I mainly saw this happen in the iterations you made based on my designs. I find that a pleasant way of working. It not only improves the product, but also lets us learn from each other's ideas."

Rick

UX/UI Designer

"Due to your adaptability, you're able to communicate well between different stakeholders and team member. I think it's good that you check if you understood something by repeating what the other person said. You think beyond just a solution, and can communicate well with developers, designers or product owners. I also feel that you always listen to what other people have to say, and you're also able to tell the team when a decision has to be made to move forward."

Glenn

Scrum Master & Tester

"Terry is able to keep asking the right questions and has a great eye for the users' interests. Keep asking those questions!"

Chris

Project Manager