Ca Clarity
About Ca Clarity
CA Technologies, a Broadcom company, aimed to revamp its Project Portfolio Management (PPM) tool, CA Clarity, which helps organizations prioritize and manage projects and budgets effectively. The objective was to modernize the outdated user experience (UX) and deliver a more intuitive, user-friendly platform to enhance productivity and decision-making.
Role
As the leader of the project, I was responsible for translating business goals into a visually compelling and user-centric design solution for CA Clarity's PPM tool. My focus was to improve UX through enhanced visual design, refined information architecture, and thoughtful interaction design for two key areas: the Dashboard and Project Details.
Understanding the Problem
The existing CA Clarity tool had grown complex, rigid, and overwhelming for users. User research revealed that the platform’s complexity and lack of customization options were major pain points, leaving users struggling to find critical information easily.
Key challenges included:
• A steep learning curve for new users.
• Difficult navigation through cluttered interfaces.
• Lack of flexibility in customizing dashboards and project details.
Discovery & Research
To gain a deep understanding of the market and users' needs, I conducted extensive research, including user interviews and surveys targeting both existing and potential users. My research findings identified several key themes:
• Users wanted a simplified interface that could provide real-time data.
• There was a need for flexible customization to cater to various organizational roles.
• Key project information had to be easily accessible to make informed decisions faster.
These insights were distilled into user personas that represented typical users, guiding us through the design process to empathize with their goals, frustrations, and preferences.
Prototyping & Design
Solutioning and Concept Testing
I began the design process by sketching wireframes that outlined the new layout and functionality. These wireframes were user-tested in iterative cycles to ensure alignment with user needs and tasks. Based on feedback, I refined the wireframes to achieve a more intuitive experience with the input from my team.
The Dashboard redesign focused on presenting real-time project data clearly, allowing usrs to monitor progress, budgets, and timelines at a glance. Project Details were also reimagined with easier navigation and customizable fields that users could tailor to their unique workflows.
Dashboard Experience
The redesigned Dashboard focused on delivering real-time project data through clear, interactive visualizations. Users could easily monitor project progress, budgets, and timelines using a variety of data visualizations, including line graphs, bar charts, and donut charts.
Key improvements included:
• Customizable Widgets: Users could tailor the layout and metrics displayed to fit their role, ensuring the most relevant data was always visible.
• Real-Time Updates: Interactive elements allowed users to view detailed insights by hovering over data points, enabling faster decision-making.
• Clean, Intuitive Design: The interface used color coding and visual hierarchy to highlight critical information, making it easy to identify and prioritize urgent tasks.This streamlined, user-friendly dashboard empowered users to manage projects more effectively and make informed decisions at a glance.
Project Details Experience
The redesigned Project Details section was tailored to enhance usability and provide a clear overview of project status, team collaboration, and critical milestones. Each project was presented in a clean, organized layout with visual indicators for key metrics like effort, budget, and deadlines, making it easy for users to stay informed on project progress. The layout incorporated tabs for viewing conversations, tasks, and overall project status, ensuring a streamlined experience for managing project components.
A standout feature of the redesign was the customizable header, where users could upload graphics that visually represented the project's goals or the spirit of the initiative. This allowed teams to personalize the workspace and maintain focus and motivation through tailored imagery. Whether it was a company logo, a visual representation of project outcomes, or something symbolic to the team, the header became a place to inspire collaboration and enthusiasm.
Additionally, the interface featured customizable fields, enabling users to personalize their view based on unique workflows. Essential project details—such as project managers, start and finish dates, objectives, and team members—were always accessible, with all information consolidated in one space.With this reimagined, visually-driven design, team members were empowered to track progress efficiently, make real-time adjustments, and foster a sense of ownership and alignment with project goals. The result was an enhanced experience that streamlined collaboration while keeping users visually motivated.
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Impact
The redesign of CA Clarity delivered a substantial positive impact:
• User Satisfaction: The more intuitive interface reduced frustration and enhanced user engagement.
• Learning Curve: New users found the tool easier to adopt, resulting in faster onboarding.
• Productivity: Users reported increased productivity, as they could now access critical project information swiftly and make informed decisions.
• Business Results: Higher user engagement and retention ultimately contributed to increased revenue, cementing CA Clarity’s competitive edge in the PPM market.
This redesign project for CA Clarity exemplifies the power of user-centered design in transforming complex tools into intuitive, efficient solutions. By prioritizing the needs of project managers and executives, I helped CA Technologies deliver a PPM tool that aligns with modern usability standards, driving both user satisfaction and business success.
Ca Technologies
