AIDA Artificial Intelligence Desktop Assistant

Overview:

A financial organization was bleeding productivity because employees had to jump between 8 different apps just to do their jobs. I designed a centralized AI desktop assistant that handled data analysis, search, and reporting in one place.

• Artificial Intelligence Desktop Assistant (AIDA), a unified platform, was envisioned to provide intuitive search, advanced data analysis, and streamlined reporting, addressing the shared needs of both departments. AIDA unified data workflows, resulting in a 75% increase in operational process efficiency.

• I led the production of a prototype and product blueprint that were developed through stakeholder interviews and
  user-centered design, showcasing AIDAs potential to improve data access and decision-making.

• The project highlights the value of product blueprints in aligning stakeholders and visualizing user experience, AIDA is now launched.

Challenge: 

The CRSD and DPG departments at a financial organization encounter similar data access. They require a solution that can: 

• Provide precise answers to specific questions: Users struggle to find tailored answers on the internal repository (Hub), leading to inefficiencies. 
• Improve data search, analysis, and reporting: The current process for searching, analyzing data, and creating reports is cumbersome and time-consuming.
• Enhance internal workflow: Fragmented data sources and processes hinder collaboration and workflow efficiency.

Outcome: 

The project yielded a no-code prototype showcasing a unified solution for CRSD and DPG. This prototype, along with the comprehensive product blueprint, was used for user testing and stakeholder presentations to secure investment for further development. AIDA solution, designed with user needs at the core, has the potential to streamline data access, analysis, and reporting for both departments, leading to increased efficiency, improved decision-making, and reduced costs.

Background: 

Both departments heavily rely on the Hub for information retrieval. However, the Hub's search functionalities are inadequate, forcing users to navigate complex applications and processes (Bloomberg Reports, Coupa, Lotus Notes, etc.) with limited  success. This dependence on multiple apps coupled with the lack of a centralized data analysis platform negatively impacts productivity. Users experience frustration, project delays, missed deadlines, and increased expenses due to these challenges. 

Approach:

Following a user-centered design approach, the project spanned four weeks and involved  close collaboration with key
stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Interviews: I conducted interviews to gather high-level requirements, close user scenarios and journey
gaps, and generate a product blueprint. 
• Product Blueprint: A product blueprint was created detailing the user's perspective and the underlying processes. It
showcased the user journey, system responses, deliverables, features, and functionalities. This provided a comprehensive understanding of how the solution would deliver value for users. 
• Prototype Development: Leveraging AI design principles, we led the creation of a rapid prototype that catered to the needs of both CRSD and DPG. This prototype served as a tangible representation of the solution and facilitated user testing and feedback gathering. 
• Experiments: we led the experimentation phase, evaluating different design approaches, running user testing and gathering user insights to refine the prototype. 

Vision: 

This project aimed to develop a unified solution addressing the shared needs of CRSD and  DPG. Inspired by the Choro concept and UI, the goal was to design a single platform,  AIDA, that simplifies data access, analysis, and reporting. 

Solution: 

AIDA is envisioned as a user-friendly platform with the following core functionalities: 
• Intuitive Search: A powerful search engine that allows users to ask specific  questions and receive tailored answers. Integration with existing data sources like  the Hub, SharePoint, Bloomberg Reports, Corporate Research and Lotus Notes  ensures comprehensive data coverage. 
• Advanced Data Analysis: Users can leverage data visualization tools and  dashboards to analyze data effectively. Drag-and-drop functionalities,  customizable filters, and drill-down capabilities empower users to uncover insights  without relying on IT support. 
• Streamlined Reporting: AIDA facilitates the creation of professional and shareable  reports. Users can select relevant data visualizations and customize report formats  for different audiences. 

Blueprint

Wireframes

My Contribution: 

• Information Architecture: Led the development of the initial mental model, workflows, user journeys, sketches, and wireframes to visualize the core functionalities of the AIDA platform. 
• Service Blueprint: Oversaw the generation of the product blueprint. Collaborated providing additional user journey details and insights, ensuring a clear and comprehensive representation of the solution.  
• Experiments: I executed the experimentation phase, evaluating design variations and gathering user feedback to optimize the solution to test different design solutions. 

Key Takeaway:

Product blueprint proved to be a valuable tool in visualizing the user experience and aligning stakeholder expectations. They helped communicate the solution's underlying processes and how it interacts with users' actions to create a positive experience.