Punch Records Made Easy: Streamlining Employee Time Management for a National Chain
Designing a streamlined employee punch tracking system, improving operational efficiency and payroll accuracy for a large nation-wide fried chicken franchise.
COMPANY
HotSchedules for Raising Cane's
ROLE
UI / UX Designer
EXPERTISE
UX Design
YEAR
2023
Challenge
The client needed a cleaner, more readable, and data-rich report for restaurant managers to effectively track labor costs. The goal was to transform a cluttered, static Excel-style export into a user-friendly, editable in-browser table.
Problem
The current report was difficult to navigate, lacked key features for actionable insights, and didn’t allow for interactivity. The design was cumbersome, especially with large data sets, making it difficult for managers to extract useful information quickly.
Solution
The redesign focused on improving readability, adding relevant data points, and ensuring ease of use. Features like filters, dynamic resizing, and a modern design system made the table more efficient and intuitive for restaurant managers.
Before and after the redesign of the Punch Records Report
Key Features
1. Improved Table Layout
• Simplified layout, focusing on glanceability and key data like employee punches, meal breaks, and overtime.
2. Increased Data Visibility
• Added key data points, such as missed punches and total hours worked, for a more comprehensive overview.
3. Auto Layout for Flexibility
• Enabled resizing and reordering, allowing the table to dynamically adjust to different screen sizes or data types.
4. Simplified Filters
• Allowed filtering by essential fields (time range, employee name, etc.), streamlining user interaction.
5. Modernized Design System
• Transitioned to BaseWeb, providing a more modern and consistent aesthetic for easier future updates.
Design Process
1. Research & Planning
• Conducted market research to understand labor tracking challenges and outlined user needs.
• Decided to transition the design system from Echo to BaseWeb for a modern, consistent interface.
2. Building the Table
• Chose a row-based layout for flexibility and ease of resizing. The design adhered to clean principles to avoid overwhelming users with data.
• Focused on a glanceable layout with essential data for quick decision-making.
3. Filters & User Control
• Collaborated with the product team to limit filter options to ensure usability while preventing complexity.
• Provided users with necessary control over filtering without overburdening them with choices.
4. User Feedback & Validation
• Presented the new design to the customer, who praised the improved readability and additional data points.
• User feedback validated key assumptions and affirmed the design’s effectiveness.
5. Handoff to Developers
Key Features
1. Improved Table Layout
• Simplified layout, focusing on glanceability and key data like employee punches, meal breaks, and overtime.
2. Increased Data Visibility
• Added key data points, such as missed punches and total hours worked, for a more comprehensive overview.
3. Auto Layout for Flexibility
• Enabled resizing and reordering, allowing the table to dynamically adjust to different screen sizes or data types.
4. Simplified Filters
• Allowed filtering by essential fields (time range, employee name, etc.), streamlining user interaction.
5. Modernized Design System
• Transitioned to BaseWeb, providing a more modern and consistent aesthetic for easier future updates.
Summary
The redesign of the Punch Records Report addressed the client’s need for a more user-friendly table that would enhance the ability to manage labor data. By focusing on clarity, readability, and key features like simplified filters and flexible resizing, the new report made labor tracking easier for restaurant managers.
This project demonstrated the importance of usability and testing to ensure that the final design was not only functional but also met user needs effectively. The shift to BaseWeb also paved the way for future system updates, ensuring long-term scalability.
