Return to Workspace
Overview of the project​
The hybrid Return to Workplace platform was designed to help businesses safely reopen office spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project aimed to support health and safety compliance while encouraging in-person collaboration, incorporating modular tools for health screening, social distancing, and contact tracing. Built using agile methodologies and a user-centered design approach, the platform delivered adaptable, scalable solutions to address the evolving needs of global clients and was recognized with the Agile Silver Badge for its success.
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My role in the project​​
In this project, I co-led a cross-functional team to develop and implement the scalable platform, ensuring a balance between safety protocols and office collaboration. My role involved leading a team of six designers, collaborating with sales leads and over 30 engineers, and ensuring alignment with user-centered principles and agile processes to meet a demanding four-month launch timeline. I drove critical design decisions, partnered with engineers to tackle technical feasibility challenges, and led stakeholder discussions to address complex regulatory, cultural, and ethical considerations, contributing to a platform that was awarded the Agile Silver Badge for its innovation and impact.
​​Methods & Activities
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User Research
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Market Strategy Analysis
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Agile Framework
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User Journey Mapping
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Service Blueprints
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Collaborative Cross-Disciplinary Work
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Concept Prototyping and Validation
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User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
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Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
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User Onboarding Strategy
​​My responsibilities
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Created a north star for the project based on market research.
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Conducted user research to inform design decisions.
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Document and track changes
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Fostered cross-disciplinary collaboration among team members.
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oversaw Wireframing and UI/UX design
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Led UAT test
“The platform was developed to empower businesses to safely reopen their office spaces amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Strategic Market Research and Resource Planning
I conducted thorough market research to assess existing solutions and identify the skills and workforce required for the project. This process included mapping out client priorities and comparing them with our current technologies to pinpoint any gaps that needed addressing. Based on this analysis, I developed a strategic roadmap outlining the necessary steps for implementation and the types of human resources needed to effectively create and launch the hybrid Return to Workplace platform. This approach ensured our team was well-prepared to meet client needs while effectively utilizing our existing resources.
Selecting Essential Safety Protocols for a Secure Return
Following the research, I collaborated with a team of subject matter experts to identify and prioritize the most essential services necessary for ensuring safety in the workplace. We focused our efforts on critical areas such as health disclaimers, self-declarations, social distancing measures, contact tracing, hoteling arrangements, and mask compliance. This strategic selection allowed us to address the primary concerns of our clients while fostering a safe and collaborative environment for employees returning to the office.
Hoteling
Mask Compliance
Health Disclaimer
Social Distancing
Contact Tracing
Self-Decleration
Some of the notable challenges during the design and development process.
Creating a Decision-Tracking Framework for Complex System
We were essentially “building the airplane while flying it,” and needed a structured method to keep all decisions and changes organized and visible to all stakeholders. It was essential to ensure that each decision and its impact on the system was fully understood. To address this, I proposed creating flowcharts to track changes and assess their consequences. This approach allowed us to make key decisions within the flowcharts before beginning the design process.
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Aligning Design and Development to Solve Feasibility Challenges
I developed a wireframe to give admins full control over customizing the user interface. The design team approved it, and after three rounds of iteration, we presented it to the development team, only to discover it wasn’t feasible within the project timeline. To address this, I created a priority spreadsheet with must-haves and nice-to-haves, which I shared with the development team. They clarified what could be achieved within the timeframe and highlighted any limitations. We reached a compromise and secured approval from the product owner on adjustments. From then on, we included a developer in all design reviews to ensure alignment before finalizing designs.
Return to Workspace
A Holistic Approach to Workspace Safety During a Pandemic
The product is a comprehensive platform designed to create a safe and efficient workspace during the pandemic. It enables companies to adjust safety measures, manage real-time data, and comply with local regulations. With complete customization, it quickly adapts to changing health guidelines and workplace policies, supporting employee wellness and operational efficiency.
This holistic approach ensures a responsive and adaptable workplace solution for all stakeholders. The platform serves three primary stakeholders:
Leaders and HR
Use platform data to improve employee health, optimize building use, and boost performance
Admin
Can fully customize system content and features to meet specific needs, adapting to evolving health guidelines and local regulations.
Employess
User-friendly interface anticipates employee needs for a seamless, productivity-focused experience.
Showcasing Success
Commercials and articles that showcase the product’s impact and achievements in the market.
Beyond direct sales, my modular approach allowed the firm to integrate these technologies into additional projects, including the RXR digital experience—resulting in 16 smart campuses and 25 million square feet of NYC smart spaces—and LinkedIn’s project to transform its campuses into smart environments.
Infosys Return to Workplace Solutions for Manufacturing Organizations
Infosys Return to Workplace Solutions for Enterprises
Beyond direct sales, my modular approach allowed the firm to integrate these technologies into additional projects, including the RXR digital experience—resulting in 16 smart campuses and 25 million square feet of NYC smart spaces—and LinkedIn’s project to transform its campuses into smart environments.
RxWell by RXR Realty
LinkedIn Smart Campus