AWS Fintech Common Patterns Initiative
Streamlining Design and Efficiency: AWS Fintech's Common Patterns Initiative Enhances Usability Across AWS Fintech Products (23+)
Challenge: AWS Fintech faced inconsistent user interfaces, high development costs, and usability issues across it's 23 + products.
Data grids are the most complex component in our AWS design system, and also is the most requested one. Having Thomas and AWS Fintech team work on it has been a pleasure
- Headof UX, AWS CX - Cloudscape
Process:
- Conducted numerous workshops across AWS Fintech and partner organizations
- Engaged with 10+ partner teams to validate needs and gather requirements
- Identified key features such as grouped headers, keyboard navigation, and Excel copy-paste functionality
- Led the development of the Data Grid component based on validated needs
- Implemented a prioritized ATL/BTL list to focus on high-impact features
- Collaborated closely with the Cloudscape team to ensure compatibility and leverage their expertise
- Achieved AA accessibility compliance through rigorous design and testing
Results:
- Efficiency: Up to 170 hours saved in developer time per adoption
- Accessibility: First AA compliant component across AWS Fintech
- Wide Adoption: Commitments from over 80 teams across Amazon
- User Satisfaction: 100% of users preferred our Data Grid over Cloudscape's default
- Cross-Team Collaboration: Successful partnership with Cloudscape benefiting the entire Amazon ecosystem
- Feature-Rich Design: Delivered validated features including grouped headers, keyboard navigation, and Excel copy-paste functionality
- Future-Proofing: Laid foundation for an ecosystem of high-quality, reusable components
Key Partnership with Cloudscape: Our collaboration with the Cloudscape team was crucial to the project's success, ensuring the Data Grid component met AWS Fintech's specific needs while integrating seamlessly with Amazon's broader design ecosystem.
Challenge: AWS Fintech struggled with fragmented notification systems across its products, leading to inconsistent user experiences and reduced productivity.
Role: Led the initiative to develop a unified notifications system as part of the Common Patterns team.
Approach:
- Conducted needs assessment, identifying 9 instances for common notifications.
- Prioritized features with stakeholders.
- Partnered with Uno for development.
- Focused on user-centric, standardized design.
Solution: Developed a unified notifications pattern featuring:
- In-app and email digest notifications
- Customizable notification types
- Integration with existing systems
Expected Results:
- Reduced user clicks/steps
- Improved cross-product learnability
- Enhanced user engagement and productivity
- Standardized implementation for development teams
Impact: This pattern sets the foundation for a more cohesive user experience across AWS Fintech products, demonstrating my ability to lead collaborative initiatives that drive significant improvements in user experience and product integration.
Challenge: AWS Fintech products lacked a consistent, user-friendly approach to guide users through complex workflows, leading to inefficiencies and user frustration.
Role: Led the development of a Guided/Stepped Out Workflow pattern as part of the Common Patterns team.
Approach:
- Identified limitations in current wizard components.
- Explored various design themes through audits and working sessions.
- Conducted usability sessions with 5 users to validate key features.
- Collaborated with FinPress as the building partner.
Solution: Developed a Guided Workflow pattern featuring:
- Sub-steps within each main step
- Non-linear navigation
- Expand/collapse pane functionality
- Flexible design to optimize screen real estate
Expected Results:
- Improved navigation of complex workflows
- Reduced user frustration and cognitive load
- Increased efficiency in task completion
- Consistent user experience across Fintech products
Impact: The pattern has been adopted by FinPress and ADAPT, with potential for wider adoption across Roster and other Amazon-wide products. This demonstrates my ability to identify common user pain points and develop scalable solutions that improve user experience across multiple products.
