Carrera
PRODUCT DESIGN
VMWARE
Overview
As the lead product designer and consultant at VMware's Tanzu Labs, I worked on Carrera, a job board application developed for the US Army through the Army Software Factory. Our mission was to create a user-friendly platform that enables Army National Guard soldiers to find relevant active duty positions based on their skills and experience.
Problem
The Tour of Duty product (above) was not easily accessible and outdated, posing a significant challenge for soldiers attempting to find and apply for positions. It became increasingly clear that a modern solution was needed to streamline the search and application process. This challenge served as the catalyst for VMware's Tanzu Labs to create Carrera with the goal of providing Army National Guard soldiers with a user-friendly platform enabling them to find relevant active duty positions with ease.
Solution
Based on this research, we designed a web app that features a clean and modern interface that brings value to the users. The app includes a variety of filters and search options that allow users to easily discover new Active Duty positions to apply to. We also incorporated a Save Positions and Alerts function, so that users can easily save positions to apply to later or be alerted when similar positions are open.
Design Process
Research
To inform our design decisions, we conducted both user and market research. We conducted user interviews with Army National Guard soldiers to understand how they currently search for and apply to positions, as well as what challenges they face in the process.
Wireframing
To generate ideas for the app, we held several brainstorming sessions. We then used sketches and wireframes to explore different design directions. We evaluated each idea based on how well it addressed our user needs, as well as its feasibility in terms of implementation.
Design Mockups
Using Figma, we created high-fidelity mockups of the app's key screens and features. We then tested these designs with users to gather feedback, identify areas for improvement, and iterate on the design.
Prototyping and Testing
We conducted several rounds of user testing to gather feedback on the app's design and functionality. In-person and remote testing reached a broad range of users.
Results
From its launch in February 2022 through April 2, 2023, the platform gathered 27,460 unique users, the highest number in any Army Software platform. That number has now surpassed over 30,000 users. The average weekly users was 426. At the time of data collection, the average number of applicants was 93 applicants per week with 54 applicants per job.
Press Links
Modernization In Action: How These 3 Organizations Transformed For The Future by Forbes
Congress orders Army to open Tour of Duty portal to Reserve, Guard troops by Army Times
How the Army is coding its own solution for the Tour of Duty jobs website by Fedscoop
Guard, Reserve soldiers can now browse active duty jobs on their phones by Army Times
Army Software Factory tackling problems big and small by Army Times
Is The Future Of The Battlefield Soldiers As Real Time Software Coders? by Forbes
Coding for the future of U.S. national defense by Broadcom
Army undersecretary on A.I.’s role in the future of the military by CNBC
DoD Software Factories Take Charge of Their Digital Destinies by The New Stack
Carrera
PRODUCT DESIGN
VMWARE
Overview
As the lead product designer and consultant at VMware's Tanzu Labs, I worked on Carrera, a job board application developed for the US Army through the Army Software Factory. Our mission was to create a user-friendly platform that enables Army National Guard soldiers to find relevant active duty positions based on their skills and experience.
Problem
The Tour of Duty product (above) was not easily accessible and outdated, posing a significant challenge for soldiers attempting to find and apply for positions. It became increasingly clear that a modern solution was needed to streamline the search and application process. This challenge served as the catalyst for VMware's Tanzu Labs to create Carrera with the goal of providing Army National Guard soldiers with a user-friendly platform enabling them to find relevant active duty positions with ease.
Solution
Based on this research, we designed a web app that features a clean and modern interface that brings value to the users. The app includes a variety of filters and search options that allow users to easily discover new Active Duty positions to apply to. We also incorporated a Save Positions and Alerts function, so that users can easily save positions to apply to later or be alerted when similar positions are open.
Design Process
Research
To inform our design decisions, we conducted both user and market research. We conducted user interviews with Army National Guard soldiers to understand how they currently search for and apply to positions, as well as what challenges they face in the process.
Wireframing
To generate ideas for the app, we held several brainstorming sessions. We then used sketches and wireframes to explore different design directions. We evaluated each idea based on how well it addressed our user needs, as well as its feasibility in terms of implementation.
Design Mockups
Using Figma, we created high-fidelity mockups of the app's key screens and features. We then tested these designs with users to gather feedback, identify areas for improvement, and iterate on the design.
Prototyping and Testing
We conducted several rounds of user testing to gather feedback on the app's design and functionality. In-person and remote testing reached a broad range of users.
Results
From its launch in February 2022 through April 2, 2023, the platform gathered 27,460 unique users, the highest number in any Army Software platform. That number has now surpassed over 30,000 users. The average weekly users was 426. At the time of data collection, the average number of applicants was 93 applicants per week with 54 applicants per job.
Press Links
Modernization In Action: How These 3 Organizations Transformed For The Future by Forbes
Congress orders Army to open Tour of Duty portal to Reserve, Guard troops by Army Times
How the Army is coding its own solution for the Tour of Duty jobs website by Fedscoop
Guard, Reserve soldiers can now browse active duty jobs on their phones by Army Times
Army Software Factory tackling problems big and small by Army Times
Is The Future Of The Battlefield Soldiers As Real Time Software Coders? by Forbes
Coding for the future of U.S. national defense by Broadcom
Army undersecretary on A.I.’s role in the future of the military by CNBC
DoD Software Factories Take Charge of Their Digital Destinies by The New Stack
Carrera
PRODUCT DESIGN
VMWARE
Overview
As the lead product designer and consultant at VMware's Tanzu Labs, I worked on Carrera, a job board application developed for the US Army through the Army Software Factory. Our mission was to create a user-friendly platform that enables Army National Guard soldiers to find relevant active duty positions based on their skills and experience.
Problem
The Tour of Duty product (above) was not easily accessible and outdated, posing a significant challenge for soldiers attempting to find and apply for positions. It became increasingly clear that a modern solution was needed to streamline the search and application process. This challenge served as the catalyst for VMware's Tanzu Labs to create Carrera with the goal of providing Army National Guard soldiers with a user-friendly platform enabling them to find relevant active duty positions with ease.
Solution
Based on this research, we designed a web app that features a clean and modern interface that brings value to the users. The app includes a variety of filters and search options that allow users to easily discover new Active Duty positions to apply to. We also incorporated a Save Positions and Alerts function, so that users can easily save positions to apply to later or be alerted when similar positions are open.
Design Process
Research
To inform our design decisions, we conducted both user and market research. We conducted user interviews with Army National Guard soldiers to understand how they currently search for and apply to positions, as well as what challenges they face in the process.
Wireframing
To generate ideas for the app, we held several brainstorming sessions. We then used sketches and wireframes to explore different design directions. We evaluated each idea based on how well it addressed our user needs, as well as its feasibility in terms of implementation.
Design Mockups
Using Figma, we created high-fidelity mockups of the app's key screens and features. We then tested these designs with users to gather feedback, identify areas for improvement, and iterate on the design.
Prototyping and Testing
We conducted several rounds of user testing to gather feedback on the app's design and functionality. In-person and remote testing reached a broad range of users.
Results
From its launch in February 2022 through April 2, 2023, the platform gathered 27,460 unique users, the highest number in any Army Software platform. That number has now surpassed over 30,000 users. The average weekly users was 426. At the time of data collection, the average number of applicants was 93 applicants per week with 54 applicants per job.
Press Links
Modernization In Action: How These 3 Organizations Transformed For The Future by Forbes
Congress orders Army to open Tour of Duty portal to Reserve, Guard troops by Army Times
How the Army is coding its own solution for the Tour of Duty jobs website by Fedscoop
Guard, Reserve soldiers can now browse active duty jobs on their phones by Army Times
Army Software Factory tackling problems big and small by Army Times
Is The Future Of The Battlefield Soldiers As Real Time Software Coders? by Forbes
Coding for the future of U.S. national defense by Broadcom
Army undersecretary on A.I.’s role in the future of the military by CNBC
DoD Software Factories Take Charge of Their Digital Destinies by The New Stack