Role: Lead UX Designer
Timeline: January 2018 – April 2019 (16 months)
Team: 5 Data engineers, 3 Frontend Developers, 3 Business Analysts, 2 Product Managers
Platform: Web (ReactJS) + Hybrid Mobile App (React Native)
The problem
The existing appraisal system was rigid and one-directional. Evaluators set objectives, employees responded, scores were generated. No flexibility. No ongoing conversation. No transparency into what happened after you submitted.
For an organization of 300,000+ people, good feedback was getting lost in a legacy system that nobody trusted.
The goal
A modern, transparent system where employees could define their own objectives, receive continuous feedback, and actually see where things stood. Something that worked on desktop and mobile, for office staff and field workers alike.
Joining mid-flight
I was brought in three months after the project started. The team was spread across Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi. Previous research existed but needed validation.
I spent the first week reading every document, then scheduled calls to fill in the gaps.
What I did
I led end-to-end design for the entire product—web and mobile. I validated existing research, constructed user journeys, created wireframes and prototypes, ran A/B testing, designed the visual system, and collaborated with developers through a 16-month agile delivery.
Validating the research
A previous design team had conducted interviews and focus groups before the project was shelved. I synthesized their findings and created questionnaires to validate with current users.
12 interviews. 3 focus group sessions. Most findings held up—only minor adjustments needed.
Key Insights
Flexibility — Employees felt the system couldn't accommodate their needs and aspirations.
Personalisation — Adapting to individual goals would help cultivate a culture of continuous feedback.
Accessibility — Reducing device dependencies and enabling instant notifications would drive adoption.
Transparency — Automating quantitative objectives and promoting open feedback would build trust.
Personas and their journeys
6 personas covered the range of user groups—from new hires to senior leadership.
I worked with the BAs to map user journeys for each, plotting features and requirements against real needs.
Building the IA
The platform had a diverse user base with ages ranging from 22 to 60 years.
The goal was building a navigation that felt consistent, seamless, and simple enough for everyone.
Designing the solution
I started with the Appraisee flow—80-85% of employees would interact with the system this way. If this worked, everything else could build on top of it.
I created wireframes with two different layouts and tested them with users. A/B testing helped us land on the right structure before moving forward.
Evaluator & Reviewer Flow
Managers needed a clear view of their team's appraisal status, efficient ways to set objectives and give feedback, and easy tracking of pending actions.
I designed "My Team" as a dedicated space for evaluators and reviewers, with clear distinctions between roles—since 90% of reviewers also function as evaluators.
A small feature, big impact.
One of the most common pain points: when your appraisal was stuck with someone, there was no way to nudge them. You had to chase them offline.
We added a "Send Reminder" button. Simple push notification or email. Spaced out to once every 15 days to prevent spamming. Users loved it.
Going mobile
Continuous feedback only works if people can act on it anywhere. We built a hybrid mobile app on React Native —so all users could track objectives, receive notifications, and have conversations on the go.
Final designs
Once wireframes were approved, I moved into visual design following existing brand guidelines. Collaborated with senior visual designers for review and refinement. Ran a closed beta with 100 users before security testing and launch.
Launch
I worked with HR managers and corporate communications to run awareness workshops and marketing campaigns across the organization.
Web launched October 31, 2018. ~90k logins in the first week.
Mobile launched April 30, 2019. ~120k logins in the first week.
Impact
Active usage: 200,000+ employees are using the platform by the end of 2021.
Increased adoption: 60%+ recurring users every month.
User satisfaction: 70%+ positive response to the new experience.
Improved support: 50% reduction in Appraisal related queries to the HR.
After launch, the product was handed over to a dedicated team who optimized performance and introduced new features. The core experience I designed remains intact—and the platform is still in active use today.
Reflection
16 months is a long time on one project. Some things I took away:
- Establish clear communication with stakeholders early—most conflicts come from simple misunderstandings.
- Support your designs with facts, even when it means extra work.
- Take breaks. Working continuously has real consequences.
I'm proud to have been part of a project that, despite the hurdles, created something with genuine positive impact for a lot of people.