Improving Payroll Workflow

Executive Summary

Led a comprehensive redesign of the payroll processing workflow that reduced processing time by 60% and improved user satisfaction by 45%. The project involved extensive user research, process mapping, and iterative design improvements to create a more efficient and user-friendly system.

Problem Statement

The existing payroll system was causing significant delays and frustration among HR staff. The manual process required multiple steps across different systems, leading to errors, missed deadlines, and increased workload. Users reported spending 3-4 hours per payroll cycle on administrative tasks.

Research & Discovery

User Research

Conducted interviews with 15 HR professionals across different departments to understand their pain points and workflow patterns. Observed actual payroll processing sessions to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies.

Market Analysis

Analyzed competitor payroll systems and industry best practices to identify opportunities for improvement and innovative features that could differentiate our solution.

Key Insights

• Users spent 40% of their time on data entry and validation
• Multiple system logins caused workflow interruptions
• Lack of real-time validation led to errors requiring rework

Solution Design

Design Process

Created user journey maps and wireframes to visualize the improved workflow. Conducted usability testing with prototypes to validate design decisions and gather feedback for iterations.

Key Features

• Unified dashboard with all payroll functions
• Automated data validation and error detection
• Bulk operations for multiple employee updates

Implementation

Worked closely with engineering team to implement the new workflow in phases. Conducted user training sessions and provided ongoing support during the transition period. Monitored system performance and user feedback to make continuous improvements.

Results & Impact

Lessons Learned

• User research is crucial for understanding workflow pain points
• Phased implementation reduces risk and improves adoption
• Ongoing user feedback is essential for continuous improvement

Next Steps

Planning to expand the workflow improvements to other HR processes and integrate with additional systems for a more comprehensive HR management solution.