B2B eLearning
Redesigning the Curriculum Experience
The initial request was to add a simple "playlist" feature to our curriculum page. However, through user research and strategic analysis, I identified a deeper problem: an outdated curriculum and a confusing navigation experience. By pushing back on the initial solution, I was able to pivot the project into a full redesign of the curriculum content page, ultimately creating a more intuitive and effective learning experience.
My Role
As the Senior Lead Product Designer, I guided the team and the project through a crucial pivot. My key contributions included:
-
Interrogating the initial feature request to uncover the underlying user problem.
-
Leading extensive user research efforts to validate the need for a redesign.
-
Designing a new curriculum navigation that simplifies the learner workflow.
-
Championing a UX-driven process that impacted the final product.
The Problem
Key Pain Points:
Our existing curriculum was suffering from a critical flaw: it was outdated and lacked a clear, guided path for learners. The user interface was just a long list of courses and materials, with no clear indication of prerequisites or the specific order in which they should be completed.
This unstructured navigation created a significant risk of user confusion, leading to frustration and, we suspected, a high number of incomplete curriculums. The core issue wasn't a lack of a "playlist," but the absence of a modern, intuitive way to navigate and step through a grouped set of learning materials.
-
The poor usability and confusing navigation were believed to be a major contributor to a high number of incomplete curriculums.
-
The curriculum was a long, unstructured list of content, with no clear way to guide learners through the required steps or specific course order.
-
The user interface was cumbersome and felt like a static settings page rather than a dynamic learning hub
The Process & My Contribution
Discovery & Strategy
Discovery Asset - Original Design
The original requirement was framed as a simple solution: "add a playlist." As the design for this feature progressed, it became apparent that it provided little convenience and did not solve the fundamental navigation problem.
I took the initiative to dig deeper, and through a methodical process, I was able to pivot the project's focus. My approach was centered on understanding the real problem: how to present curriculum content in a way that simplifies the workflow and feels in line with today's more modern methods of stepping through online materials.
Strategy & Ideation
Strategy Asset
The solution was not a feature, but a redesign of the entire curriculum content details page. This new design transformed the static list into a dynamic, guided experience. The new interface clearly delineates each step, highlights prerequisites, and simplifies the navigation process.
We implemented this new design based on insights gathered from a comprehensive user research program that included a variety of methods:
Approach
-
Usability Testing: To identify specific pain points with the old interface.
-
Surveys: To gather quantitative data on user behavior and preferences.
-
A/B Testing: To test different design hypotheses and validate our solutions.
-
Focus Group Calls: To gain qualitative feedback directly from our clients.
The Impact
Solution Asset
This project is a powerful demonstration of how strategic UX push-back can truly impact the final result. By questioning the initial feature request and instead focusing on the underlying problem, we were able to create a product that was far more effective.
The redesigned curriculum page not only solved the navigation pain points but also provided a modern, intuitive experience that will help reduce curriculum incompletion rates and delight our customers. It became a powerful showcase for the value of a user-centered design approach.
Key Features
-
A completion progress bar and clear navigation elements empower learners to easily understand their position within a curriculum.
-
​Clearly listed prerequisites and completed steps eliminate rework and guide the user through the correct learning path.
-
A tabbed organization of content keeps primary elements like the syllabus and required materials in a central location, reducing cognitive load.
-
The new design is fully responsive and visually appealing, aligning with modern learning standards and improving the overall user experience.
