Product Sample Management System
Overview
Big Lots wanted to modernize their process for managing product samples they receive from manufacturers.
The solution consisted of a responsive web site for the buyers and a hybird mobile app connected to an RFID and barcode scanning device
Problem
Buyers and merchandisers would receive product samples individually from vendors and store them at their desks & cubicles.
The office was cluttered and disorganized
Duplicate samples existed
No tracking for who currently had samples for photography, copy writing, or general evaluation
Overflow of product samples were stored in an adjoining warehouse where each buyer had their own shelf space.
Design goal
Create a system for centralized product sample management, like a library, where the librarian = sample coordinator, and the library patrons = buyers & merchandise coordinators.
Reduce office clutter
Clear tracking of physical items
Request/return system for different roles
My role
UX Team of One:
User research
Wireframing & prototyping in Axure
Interfacing with product owner and stakeholders
Interfacing with development team for agile development cycles
Process Highlights
When approaching this project, I used some of the following processes and tools to guide my design.
Observation
Met with and observed the current state where buyers and merchandise coordinators kept physical product samples in the office space.
Concepting
Iterative white-boarding to capture initial thoughts on the potential solution and user flow.
Screen Flow Diagrams
Documenting screen flows to communicate product vision and plan for agile story breakdown.
Storyboarding
Narrative description of future state process with the new sample management system.
Outputs
I designed two applications for the two primary personas.
Website for Buyers
Buyer could search and add samples to their cart to checkout from the shared library.
Hybrid Mobile App
The Sample Coordinators (the librarians) use a hybrid mobile app paired with an RFID/Barcode scanner to perform check-in & check-out processes.
Axure Prototypes
I built hi-fidelity clickable prototypes in Axure in order to work out interaction designs, get user feedback, and guide the development team by documenting expected behaviors.
Desktop prototype
Used by buyers and merchandise coordinators (library patrons) to make requests from the product sample library.
Hybrid mobile App prototype
Used by the sample coordinators (librarian) to find samples, tag them, and perform check-in & check-out.
