SaaS Redesign Research Framework · CHAPTER 2 OF 5
Research foundations
Why Industry Research Can’t Be Ignored
permissions
Industry
Workflow
Users
Screen
Software cannot be Redesigned with Surface Level Understanding.
Enterprise software is not just screens.
It includes users, workflows, industry guidelines, permissions and business rules.
When redesigned with surface-level understanding, the UI may look better but break real workflows.
That’s why industry research is important.
It helps the design team understand In detail how the software actually works before redesigning it.
The Problem With Most Redesigns
Example:
The client’s initial requirement was to improve only a few screens with majorly UI-level changes.
But the deeper UX problems were confusing workflows, unclear structure, too many fields, and poor task flow were still present.
So even though the redesigned screens looked cleaner and more modern, the user experience did not improve enough.
The result: a prettier interface with the same old confusion.
What Is Industry Process Research in UI/UX?
Industry Process Research
An industry is the business domain the software belongs to, such as pharma, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, HR, or logistics.
Each industry has its own:
Users, Terminology, Rules, Workflows, Risks, Standards
Industry process research helps us understand the world around it and how that industry works before redesigning the software.
Industry process research helps us understand the world around it and how that industry works before redesigning the software.
Why Industry Research Is Not Optional
Poor Research Leads to Costly Redesign Mistakes
and alot more
Redesigning the wrong screens
Solving the wrong problems
Removing important functionality
Increasing training effort
Creating internal resistance
and alot more
Poor Research Leads to Costly Redesign Mistakes
and alot more
Without research, teams may:
Without research, teams may:
Where Industry Research Helps in a Redesign
Research
improves every major design decision.
Industry research helps us understand the larger process around the software.
Once we know where the product fits, we can optimise its workflow based on real industry work making tasks easier, clearer, and faster for users.
Research improves every major design decision.
Industry research helps us understand the larger process around the software.
Once we know where the product fits, we can optimise its workflow based on real industry work making tasks easier, clearer, and faster for users.
The Upslide Industry Research Framework
The 5-part research framework To use before redesigning complex software.
Terminology Research
Industry Research
Workflow Research
User Role Research
Competitor Research
The 5-part research framework To use before redesigning complex software.