Modernizing a State Accounting App that reduced training time by 83%
Modernizing a State Accounting App that reduced training time by 83%
Finance, Enterprise Software
8 Months
Lead UX Designer
Project info
Scope
A US State Government Agency sought to upgrade their Accounting Application (R*STARS -Regional Standard Accounting and Reporting System) from an old legacy UI built in 1993 to a modern intuitive interface
I led the UX team to design a new navigation system & page structure for V1 deployment. The success of this project led Deloitte to standardize our design for all R*STARS modernization projects in the United States
Impact
THE PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM
US State Agencies still use an Accounting Application (R*STARS) built in 1993
It's archaic interface overwhemingly reduces productivity and increases training costs
Accountants in 2023 shouldn't be limited to a keyboard-only application with NO MOUSE SUPPORT
US State Agencies still use an Accounting Application (R*STARS) built in 1993
It's archaic interface overwhemingly reduces productivity and increases training costs
This application is keyboard-only, despite the mouse being invented in 1963
This application is keyboard-only, despite the mouse being invented in 1963
Accountants in 2023 shouldn't be limited to a keyboard-only application with NO MOUSE SUPPORT
We executed the first successful R*STARS modernization project in the US
We executed the first successful R*STARS modernization project in the US
Previous attempts failed due to the complexity of the system and outdated legacy infrastructure
Previous attempts failed due to the complexity of the system and outdated legacy infrastructure
A clear Navigation System & Page Structure lead to successful modernizations
A clear Navigation System & Page Structure lead to successful modernizations
R*STARS is a complex application with fragmented reference documentation
R*STARS is a complex application with fragmented reference documentation
This prompted the creation of its first-ever unified site map and established the base of the navigation system
This prompted the creation of its first-ever unified site map and established the base of the navigation system
Introducing the first ever R*STARS update since 1993
Introducing the first ever R*STARS update since 1993
"The intuitive redesign has made training new accountants a breeze for us"
"The intuitive redesign has made training new accountants a breeze for us"
- Comments by the Comptroller (Senior Financial Officer) of the State Agency -
- Comments by the Comptroller (Senior Financial Officer) of the State Agency -
(1/3) Constructing the New Interface: An Enhanced Navigation System
(1/3) Constructing the New Interface: An Enhanced Navigation System
Accountants can now access all menu items from a unified interface, avoiding navigation across multiple screens
"I no longer have to waste time browsing each profile to find the required data"
"I no longer have to waste time browsing each profile to find the required data"
- Feedback State Agency Accountants on the introduction of a List View -
- Feedback State Agency Accountants on the introduction of a List View -
(2/3) Constructing the New Interface: A Comprehensible Page Structure
(2/3) Constructing the New Interface: A Comprehensible Page Structure
A three-column grid allows accountants to easily identify an information field and avoid visual fatigue
A three-column grid allows accountants to easily identify an information field and avoid visual fatigue
Information fields are grouped by their relevance and purpose to accountants
Information fields are grouped by their relevance and purpose to accountants
This enables an accountant to quickly identify a profile page and find the required transaction code
This enables an accountant to quickly identify a profile page and find the required transaction code
(3/3) Constructing the New Interface: Component Design and Enhancements
(3/3) Constructing the New Interface: Component Design and Enhancements
New UI components were designed to replicate legacy functionality and were integrated into the Design System
New UI components were designed to replicate legacy functionality and were integrated into the Design System
Executing the project was a massive undertaking for team of 2 UX Designers
Executing the project was a massive undertaking for team of 2 UX Designers
Close collaboration with Subject Matter Experts and State Accountants played a pivotal role
Close collaboration with Subject Matter Experts and State Accountants played a pivotal role
NEXT STEPS
FORWARD
FORWARD
V2 Design Updates were scaled back due post-election budget amendments
V2 Design Updates were scaled back due post-election budget amendments
From our investigation, the next thing that will benefit agency accountants is a Transaction Dashboard
From our investigation, the next thing that will benefit agency accountants is a Transaction Dashboard
