A central corporate training website to house all e-learning and onboarding materials for colleagues across disciplines to learn about their roles, explore learning paths, progress professional growth, and onboard to essential information.
About the project
Problem
The onboarding experience for users of our platform is disorganized, disjointed, and lacking in visual cohesion, creating a chaotic and overwhelming process for those new to our system. The training materials and resources are segmented across multiple different channels and formats, forcing users to piece together information from a scattered array of tutorials, walkthroughs, and support documentation. This fragmented approach makes it incredibly difficult for users to get a clear, comprehensive understanding of how to effectively utilize the various features and functionality of our platform. The lack of a centralized, user-friendly training experience also results in a steep learning curve, as users are forced to hunt down relevant information and put in significant time and effort just to get up to speed.
This suboptimal onboarding process can quickly frustrate and discourage new users, potentially causing them to abandon our platform altogether due to the perceived complexity and inaccessibility of the training resources. Ultimately, this disorganized and user-unfriendly training experience represents a significant barrier to adoption and a major pain point that needs to be addressed in order to provide a smooth, seamless onboarding journey for our customers.
Our Project Team
Microsoft Development Consultants
Sr. Project manager
Systems Admin
Visual & UX/UI Designer
Product BA
HR SME
Role & Deliverables
User Experience Design
User Interface Design
User Research & Studies
WCAG Compliance Audit & Enhancements
Design System Creation
Design Workshop Lead
Wireframes & Prototypes
Logo & Branding Design
Objective
The primary objective of this project is to design and implement a comprehensive Training System that will revolutionize the onboarding and professional development experiences for employees across the organization. The core aim is to create a user-friendly, intuitive platform that provides seamless access to a wealth of training content and resources, offering new hires and existing colleagues alike a streamlined path to get up to speed and continue expanding their skills. By improving visibility into available learning opportunities and implementing a smooth, guided onboarding process, this Training System will drive significant enhancements to the company's new hire management and colleague development initiatives.
Ultimately, the goal is to equip the workforce with the knowledge and capabilities needed to gain a competitive edge in the market, empowering employees to reach new levels of productivity, effectiveness and strategic thinking. Through thoughtful design and a keen focus on the user experience, this Training System will serve as a centralized hub for all training and development activities, simplifying and accelerating the onboarding of new hires while also providing existing staff with convenient access to a robust catalog of training content. The end result will be a more informed, skilled and adaptable workforce that is primed for success in an increasingly competitive industry landscape.
Research
User Analytics
User Studies
Surveys
User Interviews
Competitor Analysis
User Journey Map
Personas
Accomplishments
Increased college user awareness of market information and brand awareness
Improved employee user engagement of company training material
Increase in employee user satisfaction of company training content
Onboarding experience timeline for new hires streamlined by process efficiencies from new product
Provided a user-friendly and responsive interface enabling users broad access to resources across difference scenarios
Competitor Analysis
The goal of this initiative is to create a central hub for all corporate training needs, ensuring that our employees are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to excel in their roles and contribute to the company's growth. The report will cover various aspects of the project, including the new design UI system, user experience design, modernization, SharePoint tool selection, responsive website design, personas, colleague user survey, user interviews, information architecture, information analysis, governance structure, template documentation design, user paths, search functionality, accessibility enhancements, and the overall solution design.
Design UI System
The new design UI system for the website is based on a clean, intuitive, and user-centered approach. It incorporates the latest design trends and best practices to create a modern and professional look that aligns with our company's brand identity. The color palette is vibrant yet professional, and the typography is clear and easy to read, ensuring that the content is accessible and engaging. The system includes a set of reusable components, icons, and graphics that maintain consistency across the platform, making it easier for employees to navigate and find the information they need. The responsive design ensures that the website adapts to various devices, from desktops to tablets and smartphones, providing a seamless experience for all users.
User Experience Design
Our user experience design is grounded in a deep understanding of our employees' needs and learning preferences. We have conducted thorough user research, including interviews and surveys, to gather insights that have informed the development of the website's navigation, content structure, and interactive elements. The website is designed to be engaging and interactive, with a focus on reducing cognitive load and enhancing retention through gamification and microlearning modules. The user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, guiding employees through their learning journey with clear calls to action and feedback mechanisms.
Modernization
The platform's modernization is achieved by integrating advanced technologies and features that enhance the learning experience. This includes the use of artificial intelligence to personalize content recommendations, adaptive learning algorithms to tailor the training to individual employee needs, and social learning features that allow users to share knowledge and collaborate with their peers. The system also leverages cloud computing for scalability and security, ensuring that the website remains robust and efficient as our company continues to grow.
SharePoint Tool Selection
After careful consideration of various options, we have selected SharePoint as the underlying technology for our e-learning platform. SharePoint's robust content management capabilities, integration with other Microsoft tools, and scalability made it the ideal choice for our needs. It allows us to create a secure, centralized repository for all training materials, making it easy to manage and update content, as well as to track user progress and compliance.
Responsive Website Design
The website is designed to be fully responsive, meaning it adapts to the device on which it is being accessed. This is crucial in today's mobile-first world, where employees may need to access training materials on-the-go. The design is optimized for different screen sizes and orientations, providing an optimal experience for users regardless of whether they are using a desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.
Personas
To ensure that the website meets the diverse needs of our global workforce, we have developed a set of personas that represent different user types. These personas, based on real data and user research, help us understand the goals, challenges, and preferences of our employees, allowing us to design a solution that caters to their unique requirements. The personas have informed the creation of user-centered content and features that resonate with each group, leading to higher engagement and better learning outcomes.
Colleague User Survey
A colleague user survey was conducted to gather initial feedback on the current training methods and identify areas for improvement. The survey results highlighted the need for a more engaging and accessible platform that could cater to different learning styles and provide personalized content. This feedback was instrumental in shaping the design and functionality of the new website.
Information Architecture
The information architecture of the website is designed to be logical and easy to navigate, with clear categorization and labeling of content. We have created a structure that reflects the different stages of the learning journey, from onboarding to professional development. This helps employees find relevant training materials quickly and efficiently, reducing the time spent searching for information and increasing the overall effectiveness of the training process.
Information Analysis
An in-depth analysis of the current training content was conducted to identify gaps and redundancies. This analysis informed the restructuring and organization of the information, ensuring that the content is relevant, up-to-date, and comprehensive. It also helped us to prioritize the development of new training modules and resources.
Governance Structure
A strong governance structure has been established to manage the website's content, user roles, and access levels. This includes guidelines for content creation, publishing, and maintenance, as well as a clear hierarchy for user permissions. This structure ensures that the website remains consistent, accurate, and secure while allowing for flexibility and localization where necessary.
Template Documentation Design
Detailed template documentation has been created to provide clear guidelines for content creators and designers. These templates ensure that all training materials adhere to a consistent style and format, making it easier for employees to follow and understand the content. The documentation also includes best practices for creating accessible and engaging e-learning modules.
User Paths
User paths are designed to guide employees through the training process, from onboarding to skill development. These paths are tailored to individual roles and departments, providing a structured yet flexible approach to learning. Employees can track their progress and receive notifications about upcoming or required training, ensuring that they stay on top of their professional development.
Search Functionality
An advanced search functionality has been implemented to help users quickly locate the training materials they need. This includes keyword searching, filtering by topic, difficulty level, and duration, as well as a search history feature that allows employees to revisit previously accessed content.
Accessibility Enhancements
We have made a strong commitment to accessibility by adhering to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. The website is designed to be inclusive, providing alternative text for images, closed captioning for videos, and keyboard navigation for those with visual or motor impairments. This ensures that all employees, regardless of their abilities, can benefit from the training resources available.
Solution Design
The solution design is centered around a user-friendly dashboard that provides employees with a personalized view of their training progress and recommendations. The dashboard includes quick links to frequently accessed content, upcoming training sessions, and messages from management. The website also features a social feed where employees can share their achievements, ask questions, and engage with their colleagues.
Integration with Existing Systems
The new e-learning platform is integrated with our existing HR and performance management systems. This allows for seamless tracking of training progress and the alignment of learning objectives with individual performance goals. Employees can also receive credit for external training and certifications, providing a comprehensive view of their professional development.
User Adoption and Training
To facilitate user adoption, we have developed a comprehensive training program that includes video tutorials, user guides, and live Q&A sessions. This program is designed to help employees understand how to use the new website effectively and make the most of its features. Additionally, we will be conducting regular feedback sessions to gather input on the platform's usability and to identify any areas for improvement.
Summary
In summary, our new corporate training, e-learning, and onboarding website represents a significant leap forward in our commitment to employee development. By combining a modern design UI system, user-centered experience design, cutting-edge technology, and a robust governance structure, we have created a platform that is both engaging and effective. The website's responsive design, personalized user paths, and accessibility enhancements ensure that all employees can access and benefit from the training materials, regardless of their location or device. The integration with existing systems and the implementation of advanced search functionality further streamline the learning process. We are confident that this solution will empower our workforce to excel in their roles and contribute to the continued success of our company.
Research
Define
My Process
Design
Deploy
Measure
