Evolve HR
Working as part of a cross-functional team (notably across Human Capital Management and the Talent orgs) for the better part of a year. I ran lead design for a complex and challenging project with a history of unsuccessful attempts at getting built.
Evolve HR: Rigidity to Flexibility
The primary task we were given as an agile team was to envision what a product solution for our customers could be, not just what we could build within the confines and limitations of Workday's current tech environment. It was often times up to me to redirect our architects and dev-leads to not get lost in the weeds of what we would be able to build within our limitations, but to push beyond those limitations and build something truly great.
At the end of the product, we had successfully made a strong case to build out the application that I had designed (with input from Product and Development). As this is still an internal-only project, I can't share any screens of the project at this time beyond what's below.
Quotes about my time on the project:
"Not only is the project challenging in terms of scope and complexity, but it also involves managing multiple stakeholders across different product pillars. Some of which (HR Core) are newer to working with UX and have been somewhat resistant on inclusion of UX and our ways of working. From the stakeholders who are accustomed to working with UX and Michael, Michael has received praise for how he has approached the project, managed working relationships and the onslaught of feedback. Michael's strengths of advocating for the best UX, ability to quickly grasp complex problems, navigate ambiguity and iterate rapidly have served Michael well on the flex team's work." - Senior UX Manager
"I've been impressed how Michael took the Flexible Teams high level requirements that still were in the gray space, and quickly starting to put a storyboard in place, knowing that getting a concept out there first for people to poke holes at was more important than perfecting the design. I also appreciate how Michael thinks about design across all form factors - mobile, desktop, iWatch and natural workspaces. He did this with Flexible Teams and it immediately shows how well he is understanding the persona and giving the team the ability to think more broadly. This is something I'd like to see done more across all UX designers and Michael should continue to do in the future and to mentor others to do." - Senior Outbound Product Manager
"Michael does a great job getting up to speed fast, and he is engaged and very vocal with his opinions on what the design direction should be. Using Flex teams as an example, Michael stands his ground and is honest with what he feels is the best direction. He also advocates for himself in presentations and making sure he is continually included in the process from start to finish. The flex teams project is particularly difficult in that there are 4 PM's, all with different ideas and thoughts on what to do, and its very exploratory and he has done a great job balancing his opinions on design, PM input, and functional requirements to help bring us to where we are today. There is still lots of work to do, but I think other designers would have had a lot of trouble making their voice heard with this group of people, so props to Michael." - Principal Functional Architect
"Michael has collaborated with me on several complex projects (and continues to do so!). We have had to navigate some tricky conversations and business problems and he gets up to speed quickly, makes team members on calls feel included and empathizes with them. He is a great partner you would want to work with on projects of complexity." - Principal Product Manager
"Michael is extremely efficient; he can engage in a conversation, determine a solution and make suggestions and iterate rapidly. He is able to hear the problem, dissect it and subsequently create high quality, creative designs and prototypes." - Principal Software Development Engineer
"Michael has also clearly dedicated a lot of time to making sure UX walk throughs were ready for presentation, even when that meant last-minute iterations based on our feedback. When there's a portion of the agenda dedicated to Michael sharing out what he's been working on, I feel confident in knowing that he'll be ready on time and deliver the message well." - VP Product Management