Setting the foundations

I worked as a sole product designer with a cross-functional team. I started  with secondary research data and analyzed potential user needs through rainbow sheet based on the results from focus group session. Then I created the information architecture, wireframes to ensure users can access all info they need. After this, I designed the first phase design which has main functionalities and conducted usability testing to iterate the design.

Challenges & limitations

Accountants and auditors are familiar with using excel sheets for their financial tasks, but they also face some challenges and limitations, such as manual data entry, complex formulas, human errors, and lack of collaboration.

• How can we help accountant and auditors use complex formulas without human error for financial task?
• How can we help small scale business track their financial success without financial literacy?

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To understand the needs and pain points of the target users, I conducted user interviews (focus group), surveys, and competitive analysis. Also reviewed existing financial software and applications to identify best practices and gaps in the market.

Used tools like Google Forms, Zoom, and Miro to collect and organize research data. I introduced the rainbow sheet analysis method to the team and this helped my team better understand users’ intentions. Some of the main findings from the research:

Based on our research findings, I generated some initial ideas for the user interface and the user flow for the application. I used tools like sticky notes, whiteboards, and paper to brainstorm and sketch our ideas.I then evaluated and prioritized our ideas based on the user needs, the project goals, and the technical feasibility.

I then translated the initial ideas into high-fidelity wireframes using a tool like Figma. The high-fidelity showed the main screens and features of the application, such as:

• The home screen, where users can see an overview of their financial data and insights.
• The document upload screen, where users can upload and categorize their financial documents.
• The data analysis screen, where users can view and interact with their financial data in different formats.

Based on the testing results, we iterated on the prototype and made some changes and enhancements. I also created high-fidelity mockups using a tool like Figma to add more details and polish to the user interface. We also added some animations and transitions to the prototype to make it more engaging and realistic. Some of the main changes and enhancements we made were:

• We improved the document upload feature by adding more document types, a progress bar, and a confirmation message.
• We improved the data analysis feature by adding more data formats, filters, and sorting options.