Cloud9hr

Modernizing HR management for effortless workforce solutions.

Cloud9HR set out to transform HR management for blue-collar industries like construction by redesigning their web app to better serve HR teams and employees. With limited development time, a full redesign was out of scope, so we took a strategic approach—modernizing the platform by integrating a new Bootstrap system that seamlessly aligned with their existing framework, saving time while delivering impactful results.

Deliverables: Product Design, Product Strategy

Project: A strategic web app redesign

Team: Me, Myself, and I

Role: Product Design

Business Goal

Cloud9HR aimed to redefine the usability of their web application without diving into a full-scale redesign. The challenge was twofold: modernize a rigid Bootstrap-based framework and improve disjointed user flows that frustrated users in blue-collar industries like construction. The ultimate goal? Deliver a platform that aligned with the executive team’s vision, enhanced user satisfaction, and drove sales to boost yearly revenue.

User Goal

To make this transformation meaningful for users, we focused on simplifying their daily interactions. HR managers and business owners needed tools that provided clarity and control, while general employees sought a straightforward interface that felt familiar. By tailoring the experience to these distinct personas, we worked to create a platform that felt intuitive, efficient, and accessible for users across the board.

The Design Process

Improving Cloud9HR’s application meant balancing ambition with practicality. Faced with technical constraints, I devised a plan to modernize the framework, refine user flows, and elevate functionality—all without compromising existing systems. From whiteboarding sessions to user interviews, each step was guided by collaboration, empathy, and a commitment to delivering impactful results. Here’s how the process unfolded:

01 - Discovery

We kicked things off by mapping the current app’s pain points on a whiteboard. With the executive team, engineers, and I brainstorming together, patterns began to emerge: features were scattered, workflows felt clunky, and the interface didn’t resonate with users. These visualized challenges became the foundation for actionable solutions, prioritizing areas that would deliver the most impact within resource constraints.

03 - User Flow Refinement

With insights from stakeholders in hand, I got to work reorganizing the app’s user flows. HR managers needed comprehensive dashboards, while employees benefited from pared-down views. By restructuring features based on user roles, we reduced frustration and created a more tailored experience. Each journey was designed with accessibility and ease in mind, ensuring users could focus on their tasks, not on navigating the app.

05 - Iterative Collaboration

Close communication with the engineering team ensured the updates didn’t disrupt existing features or workflows. We worked in sprints, testing each change rigorously before implementation. This iterative approach allowed us to refine functionality while minimizing bugs or downtime, keeping the process smooth and collaborative.

02 - Stakeholder Interviews

Engaging directly with HR managers, business owners, and employees brought invaluable perspective to the project. Through interviews, I learned how construction industry workers felt disconnected from the app’s cluttered structure and limited usability. Feedback emphasized the need for simplicity and customization—a guiding principle for every design decision moving forward.

04 - Modernizing The Framework

The outdated Bootstrap template was a major roadblock, so I sourced and implemented a newer, more versatile version. This upgrade immediately improved app performance, boosting speed by ~25%. Familiar components ensured users felt at home in the design while experiencing the benefits of a polished, responsive interface that aligned with current trends.

06 - User Feedback & Validation

Post-launch, we turned to the users themselves for validation. Surveys revealed increased satisfaction with the platform’s usability, navigation, and responsiveness. The streamlined experience resonated with both tech-savvy HR managers and non-technical employees—a testament to the power of thoughtful design rooted in empathy and collaboration.

Moving Forward

The updated Cloud9HR platform is now a stronger asset for the company, positioned to scale alongside its ambitious growth goals. Future iterations could explore expanding dashboards with advanced analytics, providing even more personalized insights for HR managers and business owners. With a foundation built on accessibility and user-centric design, Cloud9HR is poised to continue delivering impactful solutions to blue-collar industries.

Reflections

This project was a reminder that innovation doesn’t always require starting from scratch. Modernizing within constraints pushed me to think strategically and creatively, resulting in meaningful improvements without overhauling the entire system. Collaborating closely with stakeholders and engineers emphasized the importance of listening, adapting, and testing, while staying committed to the user experience.

Closing Thoughts

Working with Cloud9HR demonstrated the transformative power of design rooted in empathy and practicality. This wasn’t just a project about optimizing performance metrics—it was about empowering users to navigate their daily challenges with ease. Seeing the positive impact on user satisfaction and company growth reaffirmed my belief that great design bridges the gap between ambition and reality, creating lasting value for both businesses and their users.

Polished with Ctrl+Z and a lot of second-guessing.