Relevant Information

Client: Grant Thornton
Tags: UX Design, UI Design, User Flows, Interactive Prototypes, Testing
Tools: Figma, FigJam, Slack.
Team: Project Manager

Project Context

Grant Thornton, through its independence department, identified the need to improve and automate the manual processes associated with international independence enquiries. This process was essential to ensure regulatory compliance, but involved multiple fragmented workflows and repetitive tasks.

The main goal was to design a digital solution that centralised and simplified these operations, allowing data management, automated workflow generation and decision-making facilitation in a highly regulated environment.

My Role

As a senior UX/UI designer, I led the key design phases, including interpreting initial requirements, conceptualisation, visual design, and prototype validation:

1. Documentation Analysis: I interpreted the detailed requirements analysis provided by the client, identifying critical points in the process.

2. User Flow Design: I mapped functional flows based on current (AS-IS) and future (TO-BE) processes.

3. Wireframes and Prototypes: I created low-fidelity wireframes to structure the solution and high-fidelity prototypes to simulate the final functionality.

4. Usability Testing: I conducted tests with stakeholders and key users to validate the clarity and efficiency of the design.

Design Process

1. Initial Analysis and Problem Understanding

The project started with an exhaustive analysis of the documentation provided by the client, detailing the current processes (AS-IS) and desired objectives (TO-BE). This analysis was complemented by regular meetings with stakeholders due to the complexity of the business and the flows involved.

• Document Review:

  • I analysed critical flows such as request management in AGP4, international enquiries in GRS, and integration of external databases (Axesor and Amadeus).

  • I identified critical points, such as data entry duplication, manual processes that increased errors, and lack of automation in key tasks.

• Interviews with Stakeholders:

  • I conducted sessions to understand business priorities and clarify the complexity of international independence flows.

  • I identified key needs, such as improving traceability, simplifying navigation, and facilitating the resolution of international conflicts.

• Friction Mapping:

  • Difficulty managing multiple requests simultaneously.

  • Lack of alerts and visibility in request status, causing delays.

  • Poor integration between systems, with fragmented processes between national and international.

2. Conceptualisation and Functional Design

After understanding the requirements, I defined and mapped the functional flows necessary for the solution:

• Detailed User Flows:

  • I designed flows covering from request creation to closure, including:

    • Initiating an Enquiry: Selection of national or international templates with specific fields.

    • Managing Linked Entities: Consulting and handling information from external databases like Axesor and Amadeus.

    • Conflict Resolution: Recording decisions made and generating ready-to-send reports.

  • These flows were presented and validated with stakeholders in collaborative workshops.

• Workshops with Stakeholders:

  • We facilitated workshops to align the understanding between the technical and business teams, ensuring continuous feedback to optimise the flows.

3. Visual Design and Wireframes

With the flows defined, I proceeded to translate them into a user-centred interface:

• Low-Fidelity Wireframes:

  • In Figma, I structured each stage of the flow, prioritising clarity and basic functionality.

  • The wireframes included elements such as:

    • Dynamic forms with conditional fields.

    • Progress indicators to improve user navigation.

    • Interactive tables for managing large volumes of data.

  • These designs were validated in internal sessions and with key stakeholders.

• Early Iterations:

  • I incorporated adjustments based on feedback received, ensuring key elements were clear and functional.

4. High-Fidelity Prototype and Functional Simulation

Once the wireframes were validated, I proceeded to detailed design and creation of interactive prototypes:

• Modern Visual Design:

  • We applied the existing style guide of Grant Thornton, respecting their visual identity, but adding necessary elements for this project.

  • I designed an interface that integrated forms, graphics and tables with a professional and clean aesthetic.

• Functional Prototype in Figma:

  • I created an interactive prototype that simulated the complete flow, allowing exploration of:

    • Creation and submission of national and international requests.

    • Integration with external bases for automatic data consultation and export.

    • Resolution of international conflicts with visual tools like relationship graphs and editable comments.

  • This prototype was tested internally and with key users to ensure its functionality.

5. Design System Implementation

In this project, we worked on the existing Design System of Grant Thornton, without modifying current components, but adding new elements to meet the project's needs:

• New Components Added:

  • Progress Bars: Visual indicators to show request status in real-time.

  • Custom Alerts: Visual messages to highlight overdue requests or pending actions.

  • Interactive Tables: Designed to handle large data volumes with filtering and export options.

  • International Relationship Graphs: Visualisation of the Family Tree of clients and linked entities.

• Design Documentation:

  • Each added component was documented with clear specifications for implementation, ensuring consistency in future expansions.

6. Validation and Testing

Before the final delivery, we performed an extensive validation and testing process:

• Testing with Key Users:

  • We facilitated sessions with members of the independence department to evaluate flow clarity and interface ease of use.

  • The tests included complex scenarios, such as international conflict management with multiple entities.

• Iterations Based on Feedback:

  • I adjusted visual elements, such as text and button sizes, to improve usability.

  • I refined the graphics and tables to ensure they were intuitive even with large data volumes.

• Final Internal Testing:

  • I simulated the entire process, from request initiation to closure, validating functionality and consistency at every step.

Project Outcomes

The design of the new platform enabled Grant Thornton to significantly optimise their independence enquiry processes, achieving:

1. Automation of Complex Workflows: Users can now manage large numbers of requests with more efficient tools.

2. Intuitive and Modern Interface: Improved navigation and new visual components facilitated daily system management.

3. Scalable Consistency: The new components added to the Design System ensure that future projects will maintain design quality and coherence.

4. Improved Regulatory Compliance: The solution ensures that workflows are aligned with GTIL international standards, with clear traceability and documentation at every stage.