AFL-CIO

Intranet Portal Redesign

Client/Company: AFL-CIO 

Duration: 5 months- ongoing 

Role: Project Manager/ UX Designer

The Problem:

The existing company’s intranet was marked by complex navigation, fragmented communication, and an outdated design. Limited collaboration tools and inefficient information retrieval presented substantial barriers to employee engagement and productivity, thus highlighting the importance for a more comprehensive redesign. The current intranet’s information architecture lacked clarity and coherence, making it difficult for users to navigate and find essential resources efficiently. This complexity contributed to a significant amount of time wasted in searching for information.

Project Goals:

 

  1. Enhanced User Experience (UX): Transform the intranet into a user-centric platform, ensuring easy navigation and accessibility for employees across diverse roles and departments.
  2. Improved Communication: Facilitate seamless communication through the intranet, reducing reliance on multiple channels and promoting a centralized hub for announcements, updates, and discussions.
  3. Optimized Information Architecture: Restructure the information architecture to ensure a logical and intuitive organization of content, making it effortless for users to find and retrieve information.
  4. Integration of Collaborative Tools: Integrate collaborative tools such as document sharing, project management, and team calendars to foster a culture of collaboration and efficiency.
  5. Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure the intranet is accessible and functional on various devices, including smartphones and tablets, to accommodate the modern, dynamic work environment.
  6. Personalization Features: Implement personalization features, allowing employees to customize their intranet experience based on their roles, preferences, and frequently accessed tools.
  7. Scalability and Future-Proofing: Design the intranet architecture to accommodate future expansions, updates, and emerging technologies, ensuring long-term relevance and sustainability.

Approach & Solutions:

  1. Research and Discovery:
    • Conducted user interviews to understand the pain points and requirements of different user groups.
    • Analyzed the current intranet usage patterns and identify areas for improvement.
    • Performed a competitive analysis to gather insights from industry best practices.

2. Information Architecture and Design:

    • Developed a new information architecture based on the research findings, ensuring a logical and user-friendly structure.
    • Crafted a visually appealing and cohesive design that aligns with the company’s brand guidelines.

3. Development and Testing:

    • Collaborated with IT Staff to implement the design and integrate necessary functionalities.
    • Conducted rigorous testing to identify and rectify any bugs or usability issues.
    • Rolled out the new updates to intranet to all employees with notifcations to ensure a smooth transition.
    • Provided ongoing support and addressed any post-deployment issues promptly.

Challenges:

Data Mining:

Collecting data and content from various departments without loss or disruption is a complex task that demands meticulous planning and execution.

Scalability:

Designing the intranet architecture to accommodate future expansions and technology updates requires careful consideration of scalability, which may pose challenges in terms of system flexibility and resource planning.

Integration of Collaborative Tools:

 Seamless integration of new collaborative tools into the intranet posed technical challenges, requiring close coordination between the development team and third-party tool providers.

Security and Compliance:

Ensuring that the redesigned intranet complies with security standards and regulations of the AFL-CIO while safeguarding sensitive company information posed an ongoing challenge that demanded continuous monitoring and adaptation.

Conclusion

Addressing these challenges proactively and collaboratively contributed to the successful transformation of the company intranet, creating a more efficient, user-friendly, and collaborative digital workspace for all employees.