Lenovo Cloud Deploy
In short, Lenovo Cloud Deploy simplifies image management, optimizes recovery, and supports IT teams in delivering resilient, scalable solutions across their organization.
EMPLOYER:
Lenovo
TIMELINE:
2 to 4 months
TOOLS USED:
Adobe XD, Design System, HTML, CSS, Usertesting.com, 1:1 Interviews, Journey Mapping, Information Architecture
MY ROLE:
Lead UX/UI Designer, Researcher, Collaborator across cross-functional team
Note: Due to confidentiality agreements, specific details and assets in this portfolio have been omitted or modified. The work showcased is designed to highlight my process without disclosing proprietary information.
Where the journey began…
Understand the Complexity
Lenovo Cloud Deploy is an IT tool that has many different user types that have a variety of permissions. Users could consist of Lenovo Software Engineers, Staff Engineers, Admins, Developers or even team leads that have many different permissions and roles. LCD is sold as a service to businesses to allow them to quickly and effectively reimage devices seamlessly. There are many moving parts from the purchase of the devices, to shipment, to creating images, and provisioning onto deploying the images onto specific devices.
The Opportunity
While the Lenovo Cloud Deploy (LCD) website and application are equipped with the essential tools and generally well-regarded in functionality, notable opportunities exist to improve usability and streamline the user experience. Key issues include a confusing initial setup, an inconsistent look and feel throughout the journey, and ambiguity between the app and website’s roles.
By redesigning LCD with a cohesive, unified interface and merging the app and website into a single, intuitive platform, the user journey can be simplified, productivity enhanced, and confusion reduced. This integrated approach will not only improve user satisfaction but also optimize workflows for developers and customers.
Utilizing Lean User Experience Methodology
Collaboration across product, executives, engineering, design, and research
The Thinking Phase
1:1 Interviews
To gain a deeper understanding of Lenovo Cloud Deploy, I conducted a series of one-on-one interviews with Lenovo Software Engineers, Staff Engineers, a Team Lead, and external customers. These conversations were invaluable, as they provided firsthand insights from those who work closely with end-users or directly engage with the LCD app and website in their development roles.
Key Insights:
- Usability: While the platform has robust features, usability improvements could enhance how these tools are presented, making it easier for users to navigate and leverage LCD’s full potential.
- Productivity: There’s a notable gap in user flow between the app and website, leading to confusion around their distinct roles. For example, users expected continuity when switching between tasks (like searching for and editing customer information) but often found themselves redirected, disrupting their workflow.
- Initial Start-Up: The onboarding experience could be clearer, especially in guiding new users through their first interactions with LCD on both the web and app. Providing more intuitive starting points would help users begin efficiently and confidently.
These insights laid a foundation for redesign opportunities, focused on enhancing usability, streamlining workflows, and simplifying the initial setup to improve the overall user experience.
UX Assessment
In addition to insights gathered from 1:1 interviews, I conducted a thorough UX assessment of the existing Lenovo Cloud Deploy platform. This analysis provided a broader view of usability and design inconsistencies, identifying areas to prioritize in the redesign and ensuring the end product aligns with Lenovo’s design standards and user expectations.
Key Findings and Opportunities:
- Consistency: The app, setup process, and website lacked visual and functional consistency, deviating from Lenovo’s current design standards. Addressing these inconsistencies will enhance cohesion and provide a seamless user experience across all touchpoints.
- Discoverability: Users struggled to navigate the initial startup process and understand where to begin, revealing the need for clearer guidance and a more intuitive landing page. Refining these entry points can make the user journey smoother and more approachable.
- Information Architecture: Revisiting the overall information structure and layout will improve navigation, ensuring users can easily locate essential tools and features.
This UX assessment highlighted essential areas for improvement that will directly inform the redesign. This will allow Lenovo Cloud Deploy to deliver a cohesive, user-friendly experience that aligns with both user needs and Lenovo’s design standards.
Define
With insights from the 1:1 interviews and UX assessments synthesized, it was time to define the core user challenges and establish user types. The diverse roles, permissions, and responsibilities within Lenovo Cloud Deploy revealed a range of unique needs, calling for a more nuanced understanding of each user group.
To address this, I developed Provisional Personas—including Software Engineers, Staff Engineers, Admins, Developers, and Team Leads—to capture each role’s different expectations and workflows.
The following steps included:
- Site Mapping: Visualizing the user journey across the site to identify gaps and streamline navigation.
- Information Architecture: Structuring content and features to improve discoverability and align with each user type’s priorities.
- Analytical Plan: Creating a data-driven approach to track user interactions and measure the effectiveness of design changes.
These foundational steps set the stage for a redesign tailored to each user’s specific needs, ensuring a more intuitive, efficient, and role-specific experience on Lenovo Cloud Deploy.
Ideate
During the ideation phase, I began by creating a series of wireframes to illustrate key features, functionality, and varied user flows. From there, I moved into mid- and high-fidelity mockups to refine the design. Throughout this process, I collaborated closely with stakeholders and developers, addressing technical limitations as they arose. When challenges emerged, we discussed solutions, finding a balanced approach or agreeing on phased delivery plans (short-, mid-, and long-term) to ensure critical UX recommendations were prioritized, even if full implementation couldn’t happen at the first launch.
Prototype
To bring the design to life, I developed a clickable prototype covering various role scenarios and corner cases, offering a comprehensive view of the user experience. Since no design system was available, I created a style guide and provided developers with annotated, detailed documentation to ensure consistency and clarity throughout development.
