Retail Inventory Management
Overview
Big Lots needed to make the management of their stores’ inventory more efficient and retire an older piece of handheld technology. They were looking to replace their current solution with a hybrid mobile app connected to a barcode scanning device.
Problem
The existing handheld application:
Was dependent on a back-office system to initiate and submit a transaction
Was designed for function driven workflows that limited flexibility quick reactions to in-store situations
Design Goal
Allow for the handheld device to complete workflows from beginning to end
Support an Item-Driven flow in addition to function driven to allow for frequent interruptions common in a retail store
MY Role
UX Lead overseeing a junior UX Designer
In store user research
Wireframing & Prototyping in Axure
User testing & feedback
Interfacing with the development team
Process Highlights
User research
I made several observational field trips to local Big Lots retail stores to interview store associates and watch them use the current inventory management handheld application.
Screenflow Diagrams
Based on user observation and discovery sessions with the product owner, I began to document a user’s potential screenflow within the new application.
Mobile Application Mock-Ups
Axure Prototype
Built a robust clickable prototype in Axure to work out the interaction design, get user feedback, and communicate the intended functionality to the development team.
