UI/UX Product Design
Vanguard Consultant Platform
Overview
The relationship between Vanguard and institutional consultants has historically been complex. Vanguard has often engaged with clients directly, inadvertently marginalizing consultants despite their increasing importance in determining suitable record-keeping services. In response to this evolving dynamic and to promote collaboration, Vanguard initiated a project to design a platform that would redefine the consultant relationship and serve as an olive branch to this community.
Problem Statement
Vanguard sought to bridge the communication gap that existed with institutional consultants, who play a vital role in advising clients on record-keeping solutions. The primary challenge was to develop a centralized platform that acknowledged consultants' contributions and equipped them with the necessary tools and information to effectively support their clients.
Solution
The solution involved creating a secure login platform specifically for consultants, allowing them to access and manage their entire book of business with Vanguard. The central objective was to establish a single sign-on experience that consolidated all relevant client information, thus enhancing accessibility and usability.
Key Features
Secure Login
Ensured that consultants could safely access sensitive data.
Comprehensive Dashboard
Provided a consolidated view of all client accounts and pertinent insights.
Single Sign-On
Simplified access to various resources without the necessity for multiple logins.
Outcome
The initial launch of the platform produced encouraging results:
User Engagement
Within the first six months, 20 consultant firms registered on the platform.
Active Users
20% of users logged in at least once per week, indicating a robust engagement level with the platform's features.
Consultant Satisfaction
A post-launch survey revealed that 85% of users reported greater satisfaction with their communication and collaboration with Vanguard.
Efficiency Gains
Users reported a 30% reduction in the time spent managing client accounts, attributing this to the platform's centralized resources.
Client Acquisition
After using the platform, consultants successfully onboarded 15 new clients within the first quarter, reflecting increased confidence in presenting Vanguard’s services.
Areas for Improvement
Despite the positive initial outcomes, feedback indicated several opportunities for enhancement:
Custom Content Creation**: Consultants expressed a desire for tailored content that could better address their clients' specific circumstances.
Client Guidance Tools**: There is a recognized need for resources that would assist consultants in identifying and recommending the most appropriate clients to engage with Vanguard.
My Role
As a key member of the design team, my contributions spanned multiple facets of the project, including:
User Experience Flow Design
Crafted intuitive user flows to simplify navigation and enhance overall user satisfaction.
User Interface Design
Developed responsive and mobile-optimized interfaces to ensure a seamless experience across various devices.
User Research
Conducted research and created user personas to gain a deeper understanding of the needs and behaviors of consultants.
Prototype Development
Employed Angular, HTML, and CSS to construct an interactive prototype that showcased the platform's functionality.
Project Oversight
Collaborated closely with the development team to oversee the project from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with both user needs and business objectives.
Conclusion
The launch of Vanguard's platform represents a significant advancement in fostering a collaborative relationship with institutional consultants. By addressing critical challenges and actively soliciting user feedback, Vanguard can continue to refine the platform's features. This case study demonstrates how thoughtful user experience design can transform a complex relationship into a productive partnership, ultimately enhancing service delivery for clients. Future iterations will focus on providing more personalized experiences tailored to the needs of consultants and their clients. The ongoing analysis of performance metrics will further inform enhancements to ensure sustained success and alignment with user expectations.