eTimecard Application
A simple payroll processing tool created for a select group of field employees. The goal was to improve the time-tracking process for both the employee and the HR department. An additional benefit, is that it freed up a group of users known as “timekeepers” and placed the responsibility back into the hands of the employee.
Role
Senior UX Designer
Services
Research, Product Design, Branding
Stack
Figma, Adobe XD, Photoshop, Balsamiq
Timeline
7 months
Disclaimer: The information contained in this project is confidential, privileged, and only for the information of the intended recipient and may not be used, published, or redistributed without the prior written consent of Franka Baly.
Overview
Project Details
The eTimecard application was developed to address significant challenges in processing timecards for employees performing service-related tasks in the oilfield. The manual process was inefficient and error-prone, often resulting in payroll inaccuracies. To resolve these issues, a multi-disciplinary team was formed to design a streamlined solution. Over several years, the project evolved into a robust system aimed at reducing errors and improving efficiency. As the lead designer, my role was to create the UI that would transform the payroll process for these users, ultimately replacing the outdated and problematic system.
the work
Problem
Field employees lacked a reliable system for accurately recording their work hours, relying instead on spreadsheets and other manual methods. These inconsistent reporting practices created significant challenges for office personnel tasked with entering the data and for the HR payroll team, who had to adapt their processes to accommodate various time-logging formats. This project aimed to create a consistent, simple, and reliable solution that streamlined time entry for field employees while improving efficiency and accuracy for the payroll processing team.
Early Wireframes
My Approach
My work on this project heavily relied on Lean UX principles due to the tight budget and timeline that defined by the product leads. My research was typically conducted within the constraints of an Agile sprint, requiring a focused and efficient approach. My primary goal was to deeply understand the user personas, their needs, and their preferences. This insight allows me to design workflows that aligned seamlessly with how users naturally like to work, ensuring both functionality and user satisfaction within the given constraints.
Solution
To address the challenges, I designed two distinct interfaces tailored to the needs of the different user groups:
- Desktop Interface: Created for the HR payroll team and field managers to manage, and review submitted time entries.
- Mobile Interface: Designed for field employees, enabling them to easily log their daily work hours directly from their mobile devices.
These interfaces ensured a seamless and user-friendly experience for both groups, streamlining time entry and payroll processing.
Design Screens
Mobile
The mobile version of the eTimecard app was designed to simplify daily time entry for field workers. The interface provided users with essential information, including their work schedule, available time-off (including holiday hours), and the cut-off time for submitting their timesheet within a two-week period. To keep the focus on the current pay cycle, this information was only accessible to employees until their timesheet was submitted, ensuring clarity and ease of use. The design prioritized convenience, allowing field workers to complete their entries efficiently.
The End
Results
The eTimecard app was rolled out in phases to ensure strong adoption and to gather valuable feedback. The initial phase involved a selected group of employees who tested the app and provided insights on its usability. Additionally, payroll timekeepers were onboarded to validate that the data entered was accurate for payroll processing. Additionally, as part of the change management process manager and team lead training was conducted to facilitate seamless adoption.
At the time of this portfolio’s creation, the feedback had been overwhelmingly positive, with minimal changes requested. Users reported high satisfaction with the tool, and Human Resources stakeholders were thrilled to have a consistent and accurate process for managing payroll.
Unfortunately, due to a corporate acquisition, my contract ended before I could fully evaluate the long-term impact of the app on the target population.