Microsoft Power Apps
I was the experience lead for a program that would show customers the value of their Microsoft Power Platform subscriptions by concepting, designing and delivering a branded app to them in just a few weeks.
Simple, yet powerful applications. Scaled for the masses.
The unique aspects of this project were speed and repetition. With a reusable code base for developers to tap into, and an simple yet elegant design system that UX architects could leverage; apps could be build quickly but not sacrifice quality or look and feel.
The designers on this project created reusable flows and UI patterns for the most common business scenarios like asset and time trackers, giving feedback, expense reports, or reservations. Sharing knowledge amongst the team lead to a smoother work flow and consistency.
Rules are made to be broken followed
One of the main reasons were produce apps at this speed and volume is the design system I created. A universal type ramp, color pallet and font set ensured there would be no accessibility issues in finished products. Design and development collaborated to automatically build in light/dark mode options, responsive modules, and space for customer branding.
Ideas welcome
To kick of the start of the process I created and facilitated design thinking activities for two distinct workshops: Ideation or Intake. Ideation workshops were for customers who had multiple business problems but needed help narrowing down to one app to build. Intake workshops were to define a set of features that would be the core functionality of an app for a preselected idea or workflow.
A culture of kudos
The first app built in this series was an employee recognition and feedback app that is now among the most popular employee apps at Microsoft. Our design and code was reissued as an Enterprise Application Template and offered to customers for free.
Built to scale
These apps are a fantastic example of using design and technology to solve problems. The app featured here transformed how firefighters inspect an maintain their protective equipment, but it could easily work for other industries with similar needs of cataloging or inspecting service items.
Quality control
Onshore and offshore designers would review app designs with me every week in to ensure correct use of the design system and to confirm or adjust use of the modules. Even though the apps were being designed by a team of people, they should all look similar in their layout.