Designing Enterprise UX

Design Objectives

Enterprise Software is typically computer software that's used to satisfy the needs of an organization rather than the users of the software, but it should be both! When designing solutions and apps it's important to know who you're designing for.

When designing, companies tend to choose or develop solutions and apps that make it easier for their workers to communicate, collaborate, work, track and manage data. Designing for Enterprise UX involves improving the end-user experience of these solutions and apps.

Important Considerations

  • Atomic Methodology - Designing applications using Atomic Methodology, eliminates the need to create everything from scratch every time you start a new project by providing you with a library of hand crafted, customizable elements.
  • Findability and Accessibility - This should be top priority, especially with large list displays like trees and grids.
  • UX Research - To build a truly useful and successful project, it's essential to understand both user needs and employee needs on a large scale when designing for Enterprise Software.
  • Plan Ahead - Customer and Enterprise UX strategy have a lot in common, both are built based on detailed analysis of current needs and provide a detailed road map to help you and your team achieve the final goal.
  • Create Reusable and Scale-able Enterprise Design Systems - Unified, reusable and scale-able design systems enable teams to create consistent products.
  • Use Handy Enterprise UX Systems - You can leverage these tools to empower your entire team when it comes to Project Management, Communication (Slack, Zoom), Design Collaboration (Figma, Mural), as well as design testing tools.

Challenges and Solutions in Enterprise UX

Your Enterprise UX team should know what challenges they face in order to prepare and proactively find solutions.

As Enterprise UX Design is a relatively new concept, it's important to note that there are a few core skills the members of your team should have:

  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills
  • Excellent coding and programming skills
  • An understanding User Psychology
  • An understanding of Marketing Skills

Do's and Don'ts to Consider

· DON'T Misunderstand the Users Needs

In general it isn't the end-users of enterprise software who actually buy the software meaning the needs of the real users are often overlooked.

· DO Listen to Real Users and Invite them to Trials

The best way to create a truly useful solution for employees is to take the time to truly understand their needs. Allow them to trial new solutions after they've been designed regardless of whether or not they end up using them.

· DON'T Underestimate the Complexity of Enterprise UX Design

UX design for enterprise software must satisfy the needs of employees from different departments including Designers, Researchers, Manufacturers, HR, Finance, etc.

· DO Keep Things Simple to Start

In situations where users' needs are too complicated, keeping everything simple is the best approach. Simplicity is the eternal truth of UX Design.

· DON'T Get Yourself Stuck with Old or Legacy Solutions

Enterprise UX Design differs from UX Design for customers and the solution to new problems you face should be different too. Often, designers may not realize this at first and still use outdated materials or methods, which can have a negative effect.

· DO Keep Trying New Ideas and Regularly Validating Them

Never be afraid to try new ideas and validate them regularly, regardless of the problems you encounter when designing enterprise software. You never know, it could inspire a whole new trend!

Further Reading