UI/UX Design for Remote Workers
8 Week Project
What are the challenges of remote workers?
Remote workers who responded to my survey described these challenges:
- Maintaining Work-Life Balance
- Difficulty Scheduling Meetings
- Working Across Time Zones
Individual Responses
- “Having to work past normal hours to schedule a meeting.”
- “Long days – working early mornings until late evenings.”
- “Feeling like I’m inconveniencing my team members if I request a time change.“
However, 18 out of 20 respondents noted that their managers are willing to be flexible to accommodate these challenges.
“Since there is a three hour time difference, my team from Arizona is very flexible and accommodating.”
Anonymous Interviewee
How can managers help?
A digital platform can gather feedback to resolve challenges.
Managers can view data-interpreted feedback to help them understand how to better manage their team members.
A 2018 study showed that teams who gave feedback:1
- “Developed a greater sense of awareness and knowledge.”
- “Built roadmaps for what needs to be done to achieve their goals.”
- “Became more involved and confident in their work environment.”
Giving feedback helps teams rethink their plans and become more productive.
Digital Platforms for Giving Feedback
Milo
AI Chatbot for Gathering Feedback
Milo listens to concerns and provides the team with data to resolve problems.
- Giving Milo feedback can be quickly and efficiently done.
- Milo visualizes the data for managers to evaluate and respond.
I made a conversation tree to explore different chats with Milo.
User Scenario
Interface
I developed Milo’s visual brand language as a teal-colored messaging app.
Progress Report
In addition to the data charts and visuals displayed to managers, the employees can view their individual progress to monitor their progress.
- Teamwork: How is my team’s synergy?
- Workload: Is the work manageable or overwhelming?
- Energy: How much energy can I devote to my work?
- Leadership: Do I feel directed and supported by leadership?
Implementation
Milo is a plug-in software optimized for companies that are collaborative and feedback-seeking, and its reflection and feedback model is a solution for companies with emerging work ethics.
Takeaways
Initially, I discovered many problems associated with remote distributed teams. Organizing my research helped me discover “feedback-seeking behavior” as an insight that I could use to develop my design.
Sources: 1Seigyoung et. al (2019). “Frontline Employee Feedback-Seeking Behavior: How Is It Formed and When Does It Matter?” 2Benke (2020). “Chatbot-based Emotion Management for Distributed Teams: A Participatory Design Study.”
Karina Bhattacharya 