Challenge

Workflow friction from tool sprawl

Rapid growth left the organization with disconnected legacy systems, creating operational friction. Critical workflows like grant submission required employees to navigate multiple unlinked tools, slowing work and increasing errors.

Research

Fragmentation blocks core workflows

Through cross-functional journey mapping, we identified grant submission as a high-impact pain point. System fragmentation made the process slow and confusing, so we focused on unifying this workflow first.

Ideation

Visualizing unified workflow concepts

Partnering with one other designer, I led rapid ideation using concept cards to explore solutions. These concepts evolved into wireframes and then high-fidelity UI designs, refined through continuous feedback..

Convergence

Prototypes build stakeholder alignment

We brought the designs to life with high-fidelity prototypes, using them to validate the unified workflow and align stakeholders around a clear, simplified future state.

Solution

One platform replacing data silos

We designed a single, unified platform that consolidated fragmented systems. The integrated grant submission workflow replaced multiple tools with one clear, intuitive experience, improving efficiency and collaboration.

Executive buy-in for transformation

Outcome

The work culminated in full C-suite alignment, enabling the organization to move forward with a coordinated transition from siloed systems to a unified, intelligent platform.

Takeaways

Make abstract pain visibile

Turning abstract problems like “system fragmentation” into concrete visuals was critical. Tangible concepts and prototypes helped executives understand the problem, trust the solution, and commit to change.