This significant re-platforming project aimed to modernise the technology stack, enhance the user experience, and provide Next UK, Next International, and Total Platform with a robust foundation to drive the online business.
As a UX Manager, I worked closely with my Lead UX Designer, Head of UX, Senior Stakeholders and Architects. My role was to empower and support the UX team while driving alignment at every step. I focused on a user-centered mindset, guiding the team to make data-driven decisions that aligned with user insights and business goals.
By staying close to stakeholder requirements, I acted as the bridge between the vision and implementation, ensuring every output addressed real business needs and delivered measurable impact. My approach was about creating clarity, encouraging improvement where possible, championing collaboration, ensuring the team stayed focused, stakeholders stayed informed, and the final product was successful.
My team worked closely with user research and data science to identify valuable insights and opportunities. Together, we analysed user behaviours, pain points, and engagement trends to pinpoint areas of opportunity. To ensure no critical features or functionality were compromised, we also worked closely with business analysts to thoroughly understand the system's existing architecture and requirements. This close collaboration allowed us to balance enhancements and continuity of existing features.
My lead UX designer headed up the creation of a new, scalable design system, working closely with the broader UX team to ensure consistency, flexibility, and alignment with business needs. Together, they conducted collaborative workshops, gathered input from stakeholders, and iterated on component designs to address the diverse requirements of a multi-channel e-commerce platform.
I played an active role throughout this process, providing guidance, facilitating discussions to resolve challenges, and offering feedback to refine the final solution. This close collaboration ensured the design system was not only robust and user-friendly but also positioned to seamlessly integrate with development workflows and future platform needs.
Throughout the implementation stage, my lead UX designer and I worked closely with the development team to ensure the seamless translation of design into code.
Adopting an Agile approach, my team facilitated daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and iterative feedback sessions to address challenges quickly. A key achievement was the establishment of Storybook, a bridge between Figma and the final codebase. This integration aligned Figma components with the build, enabling rapid testing of components across all themes and ensuring consistency and scalability. The streamlined workflow proved invaluable, allowing teams to identify and resolve discrepancies early.
I played a crucial role in overcoming specific roadblocks, mediating between UX and development to align priorities and keep the project on track toward timely and successful delivery.
To ensure a smooth and effective launch, we took a strategic approach to deploying the new platform across our international markets. Starting with lower-value countries, we tested the platform in real-world conditions, closely monitoring sales, performance metrics, and user feedback to validate the stability and effectiveness of the new code.
My team and I played a pivotal role in collaborating with QA during this phase, rigorously checking the final solutions to ensure they met design and performance expectations. My team and I worked closely with developers and DPMs to raise issues promptly, enabling quick fixes and minimizing disruptions. This phased rollout allowed us to identify and resolve any challenges early, progressively scaling up to higher-value markets with confidence.
Once the platform proved its reliability and success, we deployed it on the flagship Next UX, marking a significant milestone in the re-platforming initiative. Subsequently, the new platform was rolled out to our Total Platform clients, extending its benefits across the broader ecosystem. This measured and collaborative approach minimized risks, optimized outcomes, and ensured a seamless transition for all users.
The re-platforming of Next and Total Platform was a huge success. After going live on Next UK the following was confirmed.
Design pack turnaround time for prospect clients reduced from 1 week to 1 hour.
Streamlined Collaboration: Developers and designers leveraged the design system to achieve seamless integration, minimizing rework and delays.