This project is called CEE - Costco Employee Experience. It is an app that consolidates the 5+ employee websites into one user-friendly application.
Problem: Costco employees have a bad digital experience
Goal: Create a better user experience for Costco employees by creating a mobile app that is a one-stop shop for all of their needs.
Process
It started with a lot of research. I interviewed and talked to a Sr UX Designer at Costco who gave me a wealth of information. I talked to employees, looked at all of the websites and ended up going down rabbit holes clicking links.
I created user flows and rough journey maps. Did several rounds of sketching and some usability testing letting users play with my app and give me honest feedback.
User journey
User persona
Onboarding
Onboarding: it helps the user get introduced to the product. Shows them all the important parts of the app, consolidating the best parts from the several employee sites.
Notifications
A major pain point for the users were a lack of notifications. Employees did not know when their session expired or when their schedules were updated, they were left frustrated and confused they they showed up during their assumed shift only to be scolded for not being attentive.
This feature gets rid of that frustration and conflict and creates better experience by communicating with the user,
Employees are given vital info
They are told when that they are being logged out.
Home
This Home layout gives the user all of the things they need in one place. They no longer have to search around to find their essentials.
News - Relevant warehouse info provided and updated by your store’s management
Safety training - Allows for streaming of safety videos
Job bank - Allows the user to explore job postings in ad out of state
Shoutouts - ideas or info that needs to be highlighted
Payroll
Payroll: This is an update to the existing. payroll design. it is made more responsive and allows for the user to do their taxes from within the app. it creates a smoother user flow where the user can now see the most important aspects of their paystub or a detailed view.
Schedule
Schedule & Clock: This lets the user see their schedule. They can check the entire month or look at a specific week. It also allows them to submit time off requests without having to use a paper and pen.
Job Bank
The job bank allows for the user to search for jobs inside and outside of their area. This feature does not change too much only incorporates it into the CEE app.
Feedback
Some of the names are changed
Mrs. Tasha — likes the diversity of people in the onboarding
Mr. Sopas — likes the idea tracking of both positive coachings and negative marks. He also mentioned the managers may not like the call in option as it might be abused by employees. The feature was ultimately kept as it was seen as a way to reduce waste
Ms. Lee — disliked first set of color choices for the onboarding section so they were updated
Users disliked the idea of a message board as they thought it would become too chaotic.
Takeaways:
1) More sites than five.
2) Employees want to feel cared for.
3) Nearly retail companies have badly rated and designed employee apps.
4) You don’t have to build everything yourself.
5) Doing big projects can be very rewarding.
6) Get another pair of eyes they can help you to see things you cannot see on your own.
7) Costco users really like the idea of the app. Something modern and updated for them,