C A S E S T U D Y
Empowering our associates with design thinking capabilities
Team
Design Ops Manager
Tools
Figma
Skills
Product Strategy
Information Architecture
Design Thinking
Visual Design
One Month
Role
UX Design Research Intern
Timeline
Project Overview
Walmart Associates face challenges in transforming customer and associate experiences due to limited approaches to problem-solving. The Design Thinking Lab aims to address this by reframing how associates approach their most significant challenges. To support this initiative, the DTL SharePoint site was developed to educate, equip, and empower associates with the tools, resources, and mindset needed to institutionalize design thinking as a practice.
Problem Statement
To prioritize features, content, and services, I created and presented Information Architectures and the Most Viable Product. Upon approval, I began developing the site, resulting in a 300% increase in visitor count within a month.
Outcomes
How Might We Statement
How might we create a one-stop site that empowers Walmart Associates to transform customer and associate experiences by equipping them with the tools, resources, and mindset needed to embrace and institutionalize design thinking as a practice?
I began my process by creating an information architecture of the current website to analyze its structure, identifying several pain points and areas for improvement.
Current Information Architecture
Evaluating the current state
Proposed Information Architecture
Organizing and structuring
My second step was to create and propose an Information architecture that would be used alongside a sitemap to pitch how the site could be optimized.
Getting a birds eye view
Site Map
By brainstorming UI layouts and conducting a competitive analysis, I created a site map that gave me and leadership a high-level view of how we could structure the site.
Wish me luck
Pitching Design Decisions
For my pitch to succeed, I needed a strategic approach when presenting the solution. I created information architectures to visually demonstrate the problem and how it could be resolved. The meeting included key leadership members: Ava Han, Head of UX Research; Justin Powell, Senior Director of UX; and Laura Berg, VP of Associate Digital Experience. During the call, we also discussed the business challenges, objectives, outcomes, and requirements essential for the website's successful development.
SUCCESS! With leadership’s approval, I immediately began working on an MVP to establish a strong foundation for the website's growth.
Minimum Viable Product
Home Page
The purpose of the Home page is to introduce the mission and approach of the Design Thinking Lab, services, case studies, resources, etc.
The purpose of the Services page is to inform the viewer about our strategy and the services that we offer. We want to drive user engagement to either contact or set up an intake from services.
Services Page
The purpose of the Case Studies page is to inform the viewer about the impact that UX and Design Thinking methodologies have had on the digital transformation of products.
Case Studies Page
The purpose of the Resources page is to supply users with any tools, templates, or activities that they can use to help empower themselves and others to increase UX and Design Thinking maturity.
Resources Page
The purpose of the Training page is to inform the user of what will be involved in the training, the schedule, and a way to take action to request training. Three types of training that the Design Thinking Lab will offer are Basic, Advanced, and Custom.
Training Page
The purpose of the Contact Us page is to give a direct informative source of who the team is and how to contact the Design Thinking Lab for more information. Also, for the team to answer any questions or create a line of communication for any support potential partners may have.
Contact Us Page
Moving the vision from Figma to Sharepoint
Next steps
My role in this project was to secure approval for the development of the SharePoint site and to establish its foundation, allowing the Design Ops Manager to continue building upon it after my internship with Walmart. I am grateful to have made a significant contribution to an initiative that will empower Walmart Associates to transform both customer and associate experiences by equipping them with the tools, resources, and mindset needed to embrace and institutionalize design thinking as a practice.
Retrospective
Key Principles Moving Forward
During this project, I compiled a few key principles moving forward:
Don’t be afraid to take the initiative of a problem.
It is important to know how to pitch design decisions to higher leadership.
Build trust with your manager and peers.
Communication is key during projects.
Be agile In ambiguous situations, not every project will be smooth.
“It was a pleasure working with Victor, he displays a growth mindset that allows him to be coachable. Victor is on the right track to being a great leader in any team.”
— Bret Shurina, Design Ops Manager @ Walmart Global Tech
