User-centered design: apps that work
Armand Boers - Senior SAP Fiori & Workflow Consultant
In today's digital world, apps are indispensable, both in our personal lives and at work. While the apps we use privately often serve simple purposes, apps in a business environment often support complex and crucial business processes. Unfortunately, it is precisely these business apps that many users find confusing or difficult to understand. This leads to delays, errors and increased help desk pressure, and in some cases, the app is even avoided altogether. The result? Inefficient processes and missed productivity.
The solution: usage-oriented design
How do we ensure that business apps do get adopted, and contribute efficiently to business processes? The answer lies in user-centered design. By developing apps that take into account end-user needs and behavior, we can simplify interaction and improve adoption.
The starting point of user-centered design is simple: the app should support the user during the process without being distracted or overwhelmed by complexity. Users do not struggle with the business process itself - they struggle with apps that are difficult to understand. Complexity is inherent in the process, but how this complexity manifests itself in the app is something we can optimize.
User-centered design allows us to strike the right balance: we don't completely remove complexity, but make sure that the app puts ease of use at its core.
Core principles of usage-based design:
1. Focus on the user
Place the user at the center of the design: consider their needs, preferences and abilities.
2. Research and user engagement
Actively gather feedback from users through research and involve them in the design.
3. Iterative process
Develop and test prototypes in cycles, continuously improving the design based on user feedback.
4. Simplicity and intuitiveness
Make the app user-freindly, with a clear interface and clear navigation, so users reach their goals quickly.
5. Problem solving
Focus on solving the user's specific problems so that the app actually adds value in their work process.
Our user-centered: step-by-step and user-driven
Our user-centered design approach consists of a number of phases aimed at delivering a solution that maximizes user experience and efficiency. We go through these steps in a structured process, but can always return to earlier phases to further refine the design based on feedback. This approach ensures that the final design not only addresses business needs, but also promotes end-user adoption and use.
1. User research
The first step always concerns to exploring the user needs. We do this through workshops, interviews, and, if necessary, observations. We explore who the end users are, what their skills and challenges are, and what steps they perform in the process every day. This helps us understand not only what the problems are, but also how to solve them by adapting the design to their specific work context.
2. Design task and goals.
Based on the insights from the user research, we formulate the design brief. This involves clearly identifying the problems users experience and setting the objectives for the new design. What does the app need to improve? What does the desired situation look like? We define concrete goals so we can work on the solution in a focused way.
3. Prototype and iterative design
With the design brief in hand, we start developing an initial prototype. This prototype is a visual and interactive representation of the app that allows us to test the design early on. We use iterative design: after each testing phase, we modify the prototype based on user feedback. This ensures that we continue to improve the design until it best meets the needs of the end users.
4. Evaluation and user testing.
After developing an initial prototype, we conduct user testing and evaluation. This helps us understand how the app works in practice and whether the design actually meets users' expectations. We collect detailed feedback from end users to see which aspects work well and which still need improvement. And where necessary, we test different versions of the prototype.
5. Iterative improvement and delivery
Based on the feedback gathered during the evaluation phase, we improve the design again. We repeat the testing process until we have a product that fully supports both business goals and user requirements. The end result is an app that is not only technically sound, but is genuinly appreciated and adopted by users.
Why it works: the power of user engagement
Involving end users at every stage of design is key to success. They are the ones who will actually use the app, and their valuable feedback allows us to not only identify the pitfalls, but also understand exactly where the real needs lie. By incorporating their insights, we create a solution that truly helps them, significantly increasing the likelihood of successful adoption and satisfied users.
Efficiency through optimization
By combining usage-oriented design with our broad expertise in process optimization, we ensure that apps not only work well, but also contribute to the efficiency of your business. Fewer errors, faster turnaround times and higher application adoption rates - that's the power of well thought-out design.
Conclusion
By investing in user-centered design, we can develop business apps that do not frustrate users, but rather support them in their daily work. This not only increases efficiency and ensures that the apps actually contribute to the success of the business. We can help you develop apps that work well, and are truly embraced by your team.
Learn more
Is your organization ready to optimize your business processes with user-centric apps? Contact Martijn Wever and discover how our design approach can transform your organization. Or explore our existing Procure to Pay (P2P) apps and experience firsthand how these apps make processes simpler and more user-friendly.
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