Vertex • B2B • 2024
Vertex • B2B • 2024
Empowering teams to manage and track projects effortlessly
Empowering teams to manage and track projects effortlessly
Empowering teams to manage and track projects effortlessly
© 2025 Aran Kim
© 2025 Aran Kim
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
KDIT Solutions↗ is a company that provides IT services for businesses and they are currently developing a new product, Vertex, focusing on project management.
I collaborated with two designers and one stakeholder, taking the lead on visual design to enhance the preexisting design system and overall visual for a better user experience.
KDIT Solutions↗ is a company that provides IT services for businesses and they are currently developing a new product, Vertex, focusing on project management.
I collaborated with two designers and one stakeholder, taking the lead on visual design to enhance the preexisting design system and overall visual for a better user experience.
ROLE
ROLE
Product Designer
Product Designer
TEAM
TEAM
2 Designers
2 Designers
1 Stakeholder
1 Stakeholder
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
2 months (2024)
2 months (2024)
TOOLS
TOOLS
Figma
Figma
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
What is Vertex?
What is Vertex?
What is Vertex?
A project management platform
A project management platform
A project management platform
Currently, their core feature focuses on a few different functions such as Test Planning, Report & Analytics, and Defects.
Currently, their core feature focuses on a few different functions such as Test Planning, Report & Analytics, and Defects.
But now we want to add a new feature
But now we want to add a new feature
But now we want to add a new feature
We were given the task of implementing the Project Requirement feature in order to help teams better manage their project needs.
We were given the task of implementing the Project Requirement feature in order to help teams better manage their project needs.
Project
management
features
Project
management
features
Project
management
features
Project Requirement
Project Requirement
Test Planning
Test Planning
Report & Analytics
Report & Analytics
Defects
Defects
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
Project managers and team members struggle to effectively manage and track project requirements
Project managers and team members struggle to effectively manage and track project requirements
Project managers and team members struggle to effectively manage and track project requirements
This ultimately leads to:
This ultimately leads to:
This ultimately leads to:
Operational Confusion
Operational Confusion
Operational Confusion
Causes misunderstanding among team members
Causes misunderstanding among team members
Scope Creep
Scope Creep
Scope Creep
Expands project goals beyond initial scope
Expands project goals beyond initial scope
Expands project goals beyond initial scope
Missed Deadlines
Missed Deadlines
Missed Deadlines
Leads to rushed work & compromised quality
Leads to rushed work & compromised quality
Leads to rushed work & compromised quality
GOAL
GOAL
So, what's our goal?
So, what's our goal?
So, what's our goal?
To enable project managers and team members to effectively manage and track project requirements throughout the project lifecycle
To enable project managers and team members to effectively manage and track project requirements throughout the project lifecycle
To enable project managers and team members to effectively manage and track project requirements throughout the project lifecycle
By improving their ability to define, communicate, and monitor requirements, we aim to reduce confusion, minimize scope creep, and increase on-time project delivery.
By improving their ability to define, communicate, and monitor requirements, we aim to reduce confusion, minimize scope creep, and increase on-time project delivery.
DESIGN PROCESS
DESIGN PROCESS
Our process followed 4 steps at a high-level
Our process followed 4 steps at a high-level
Our process followed 4 steps at a high-level
At each step, proper documentation and stakeholder management was important to not only understand their needs, but to keep our design thinking in check as we worked together collaboratively as a team.
At each step, proper documentation and stakeholder management was important to not only understand their needs, but to keep our design thinking in check as we worked together collaboratively as a team.
Build context
Build context
Build context
COLLABORATING WITH STAKEHOLDERS
COLLABORATING WITH STAKEHOLDERS
Given our remote setup, scheduling a weekly call with the stakeholder was crucial to gather consistent input and understand user needs. Additionally, due to KDIT Solutions being a startup, we directly engaged with the CEO to gain deeper insights.
Given our remote setup, scheduling a weekly call with the stakeholder was crucial to gather consistent input and understand user needs. Additionally, due to KDIT Solutions being a startup, we directly engaged with the CEO to gain deeper insights.
The users were currently dissatisfied with their existing workflow systems
The users were currently dissatisfied with their existing workflow systems
The users were currently dissatisfied with their existing workflow systems
PINPOINTING USER CHALLENGES
PINPOINTING USER CHALLENGES
We interviewed 5 current users to identify their pain points and needs. Through this process, we were able to pinpoint the problem statement: project managers and team members struggle to effectively manage and track project requirements. These insights helped us make informed decisions and prioritize features to address their challenges and improve their experience.
We interviewed 5 current users to identify their pain points and needs. Through this process, we were able to pinpoint the problem statement: project managers and team members struggle to effectively manage and track project requirements. These insights helped us make informed decisions and prioritize features to address their challenges and improve their experience.
"It's frustrating when requirements are unclear or change frequently. It makes it hard to know what's expected and how to prioritize tasks." - Janet (current user #1)
"It's frustrating when requirements are unclear or change frequently. It makes it hard to know what's expected and how to prioritize tasks." - Janet (current user #1)
"It's frustrating when requirements are unclear or change frequently. It makes it hard to know what's expected and how to prioritize tasks." - Janet (current user #1)
"When requirements aren't managed well, it often leads to delays in delivering our work. This affects our ability to meet deadlines and impacts overall project timelines." - Shane (current user #2)
"When requirements aren't managed well, it often leads to delays in delivering our work. This affects our ability to meet deadlines and impacts overall project timelines." - Shane (current user #2)
"When requirements aren't managed well, it often leads to delays in delivering our work. This affects our ability to meet deadlines and impacts overall project timelines." - Shane (current user #2)
"Adding new features or changes mid-project without proper evaluation disrupts our workflow. It stretches our resources and makes it difficult to stay focused on the original project goals." - James (current user #3)
"Adding new features or changes mid-project without proper evaluation disrupts our workflow. It stretches our resources and makes it difficult to stay focused on the original project goals." - James (current user #3)
"Adding new features or changes mid-project without proper evaluation disrupts our workflow. It stretches our resources and makes it difficult to stay focused on the original project goals." - James (current user #3)
To gain a better understanding of the competitors
To gain a better understanding of the competitors
To gain a better understanding of the competitors
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
This analysis revealed significant issues such as increased operational overhead and fragmented workflows, helping us better understand the challenges our users face. By identifying these gaps, we were able to tailor our solutions to reduce inefficiencies and streamline project management processes.
This analysis revealed significant issues such as increased operational overhead and fragmented workflows, helping us better understand the challenges our users face. By identifying these gaps, we were able to tailor our solutions to reduce inefficiencies and streamline project management processes.
Define & Prioritize
Define & Prioritize
Define & Prioritize
KEY TAKEAWAYS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Based on the insights gathered from user research and competitive analysis, we identified the key elements necessary for an efficient workflow, including a centralized overview, clear communication among teammates, and a user-friendly UI. These elements emerged from a thorough analysis of user feedback and a detailed examination of leading competitors' best practices.
Based on the insights gathered from user research and competitive analysis, we identified the key elements necessary for an efficient workflow, including a centralized overview, clear communication among teammates, and a user-friendly UI. These elements emerged from a thorough analysis of user feedback and a detailed examination of leading competitors' best practices.
Centralized Overview
Centralized Overview
Centralized Overview
Users need a central area outlining tasks, priorities, and responsibilities with real-time updates for all team members.
Users need a central area outlining tasks, priorities, and responsibilities with real-time updates for all team members.
Users need a central area outlining tasks, priorities, and responsibilities with real-time updates for all team members.
Clear Communication
Clear Communication
Clear Communication
Adding an internal communication feature to keep users updated on changes would greatly enhance their experience.
Adding an internal communication feature to keep users updated on changes would greatly enhance their experience.
Adding an internal communication feature to keep users updated on changes would greatly enhance their experience.
User-friendly UI
User-friendly UI
User-friendly UI
Users want seamless navigation to streamline their workflow without spending much time learning new features.
Users want seamless navigation to streamline their workflow without spending much time learning new features.
Users want seamless navigation to streamline their workflow without spending much time learning new features.
Design
EXPLORING DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR THE OVERVIEW
Starting out with the main solution, which was having a centralized overview, I explored various options but ultimately narrowed down to 3 industry-standard layouts:
Centralized Overview Exploration
Centralized Overview Exploration
Centralized Overview Exploration
Our goal was to enable users to view tasks linked to project requirements at a glance, ensuring a quick and easy workflow. We concentrated on clearly listing requirements and exploring ways to display project tasks effectively. Using information from our competitive analysis as a benchmark, we aimed to list requirements in a clear format while organizing tasks into a card format for visual clarity.
Our goal was to enable users to view tasks linked to project requirements at a glance, ensuring a quick and easy workflow. We concentrated on clearly listing requirements and exploring ways to display project tasks effectively. Using information from our competitive analysis as a benchmark, we aimed to list requirements in a clear format while organizing tasks into a card format for visual clarity.
Rejected - Not glanceable
Rejected - Not glanceable
Using an overlay and requiring users to scroll through tasks did not offer a quick and glanceable view of all upcoming tasks.
Using an overlay and requiring users to scroll through tasks did not offer a quick and glanceable view of all upcoming tasks.
Approved - Glanceable
Approved - Glanceable
After user testing, participants were excited about the ability to quickly view upcoming tasks for each requirement in a glanceable format. We aimed to list requirements in a clear format while organizing tasks into a card format for visual clarity.
After user testing, participants were excited about the ability to quickly view upcoming tasks for each requirement in a glanceable format. We aimed to list requirements in a clear format while organizing tasks into a card format for visual clarity.
Communication Feature Exploration
Communication Feature Exploration
Communication Feature Exploration
Our goal was to create a dedicated space for internal communication within the platform, aimed at smoothing workflow processes and enhancing transparency.
Our goal was to create a dedicated space for internal communication within the platform, aimed at smoothing workflow processes and enhancing transparency.
Rejected - Suboptimal placement
Rejected - Suboptimal placement
Initially, we integrated the chat box into the requirement page. However, after user testing, it became clear that this placement didn't always align with the discussion topics, which could involve analytics or defects rather than the requirements themselves.
Initially, we integrated the chat box into the requirement page. However, after user testing, it became clear that this placement didn't always align with the discussion topics, which could involve analytics or defects rather than the requirements themselves.
Approved - Optimal placement
Approved - Optimal placement
We relocated the chat box to the dashboard page, where users have an overview of the project's current status and progress. Users expressed that this new location felt more appropriate for discussions related to the project.
We relocated the chat box to the dashboard page, where users have an overview of the project's current status and progress. Users expressed that this new location felt more appropriate for discussions related to the project.
OTHER FEATURES
Team process alert
In response to user requests for improved project tracking and transparency, we designed process alerts. These alerts notify users in real-time when tasks are completed or when their teammates make changes, ensuring continuous visibility and progress monitoring throughout the project.
OTHER FEATURES
Team process alert
Team process alert
In response to user requests for improved project tracking and transparency, we designed process alerts. These alerts notify users in real-time when tasks are completed or when their teammates make changes, ensuring continuous visibility and progress monitoring throughout the project.
Team process notification
Team process notification
We aimed to enhance team transparency and project momentum by addressing user feedback for real-time process updates. Our solution involved implementing notification cards that provide instant updates on project progress, ensuring teams stay informed and projects move forward efficiently.
Team process notification
We aimed to enhance team transparency and project momentum by addressing user feedback for real-time process updates. Our solution involved implementing notification cards that provide instant updates on project progress, ensuring teams stay informed and projects move forward efficiently.
We went through the 1st round of user testing
We went through the 1st round of user testing
We went through the 1st round of user testing
We received great initial feedback
We received great initial feedback
We received great initial feedback
I created a clickable prototype on Figma to conduct usability tests with 10 existing users over two weeks. I designed tasks, observed users through screen sharing, and received positive feedback. I enjoyed engaging with users and incorporating their reactions into the final design, inspiring thoughtful decisions.
I created a clickable prototype on Figma to conduct usability tests with 10 existing users over two weeks. I designed tasks, observed users through screen sharing, and received positive feedback. I enjoyed engaging with users and incorporating their reactions into the final design, inspiring thoughtful decisions.
Impacts I can potentially foresee
Impacts I can potentially foresee
Impacts I can potentially foresee
Although this feature is still in the development stage, I can foresee that it will have a significant impact on the quality of our existing product. I'm eager to see the final outcome!
Although this feature is still in the development stage, I can foresee that it will have a significant impact on the quality of our existing product. I'm eager to see the final outcome!
TAKEAWAY
TAKEAWAY
What I've learned during this process
What I've learned during this process
What I've learned during this process
Impactful design solutions
Impactful design solutions
The design solutions significantly improved user interaction and team efficiency. I.e, introducing a centralized project requirements overview enhanced task management clarity and collaboration, directly contributing to our project goals.
The design solutions significantly improved user interaction and team efficiency. I.e, introducing a centralized project requirements overview enhanced task management clarity and collaboration, directly contributing to our project goals.
Collaborative approach
Collaborative approach
Since we were all working remotely, it was crucial that we communicated efficiently during our weekly check-in's. This helped us keep in check and stay on the path to meet our goals.
Since we were all working remotely, it was crucial that we communicated efficiently during our weekly check-in's. This helped us keep in check and stay on the path to meet our goals.
Measuring success
Measuring success
While this feature has not yet been launched, we plan to measure its success by tracking the percentage increase in on-time project completions following its implementation, after conducting thorough testing.
While this feature has not yet been launched, we plan to measure its success by tracking the percentage increase in on-time project completions following its implementation, after conducting thorough testing.