Cisco Internal Learning Application: An Engaging Story of Transformation

Cisco Internal Learning Application: An Engaging Story of Transformation

Cisco Internal Learning Application: An Engaging Story of Transformation

Enhance cultural awareness and inclusivity among our global workforce.

Role

UX/UI Design

Role

UX/UI Design

Role

UX/UI Design

Role

UX/UI Design

Duration

Aug 2022 - Nov 2022

Duration

Aug 2022 - Nov 2022

Duration

Aug 2022 - Nov 2022

Duration

Aug 2022 - Nov 2022

Responcibilities

Research, design systems, UX/UI

Responcibilities

Research, design systems, UX/UI

Responcibilities

Research, design systems, UX/UI

Responcibilities

Research, design systems, UX/UI

Introduction: The Start of Our Journey

In the vibrant world of corporate giants, where technology reigns supreme, Cisco has always strived for innovation. Yet, even the most progressive companies need a refresh now and then.

One day, our client shared a crucial mission: to enhance cultural awareness and inclusivity among our global workforce. Inspired by this vision, I, along with a team of talented designers and developers, embarked on creating an app that would not just educate but inspire.

The Spark of an Idea: Kicking Off a Big Journey

The project began with an inspiring meeting where the product owner articulated an ambitious vision: to create an app that educates employees about cultural diversity while engaging them deeply. The goal was clear – to blend learning with gamification, making cultural education an integral and enjoyable part of life at Cisco.

Introduction: The Start of Our Journey

In the vibrant world of corporate giants, where technology reigns supreme, Cisco has always strived for innovation. Yet, even the most progressive companies need a refresh now and then.

One day, our client shared a crucial mission: to enhance cultural awareness and inclusivity among our global workforce. Inspired by this vision, I, along with a team of talented designers and developers, embarked on creating an app that would not just educate but inspire.

The Spark of an Idea: Kicking Off a Big Journey

The project began with an inspiring meeting where the product owner articulated an ambitious vision: to create an app that educates employees about cultural diversity while engaging them deeply. The goal was clear – to blend learning with gamification, making cultural education an integral and enjoyable part of life at Cisco.

Empathize and Define: understanding user needs and identifying core problems


The journey began with a deep dive into understanding the needs and challenges faced by Cisco's diverse workforce. We engaged in several activities to gather insights::

  • User Interviews: We conducted brief but productive interviews with employees from different regions to gather their stories and understand their challenges regarding cultural awareness. Not everything went according to plan, but the insights were invaluable.

  • Observation: We observed how employees interacted with existing training programs, noting their frustrations and areas where they felt disengaged

  • Data Analysis: We analyzed existing data on employee engagement and learning habits to identify trends and gaps in the current training methods

Empathize and Define: understanding user needs and identifying core problems


The journey began with a deep dive into understanding the needs and challenges faced by Cisco's diverse workforce. We engaged in several activities to gather insights::

  • User Interviews: We conducted brief but productive interviews with employees from different regions to gather their stories and understand their challenges regarding cultural awareness. Not everything went according to plan, but the insights were invaluable.

  • Observation: We observed how employees interacted with existing training programs, noting their frustrations and areas where they felt disengaged

  • Data Analysis: We analyzed existing data on employee engagement and learning habits to identify trends and gaps in the current training methods

Ideate: Generating Creative Solutions

Armed with these insights, we held dynamic brainstorming sessions to generate a wealth of ideas. Key concepts included:

  • Interactive Modules: We proposed creating modules that included videos, quizzes, and real-life scenarios.

  • Gamification Elements: We decided to incorporate badges, leaderboards, and rewards to motivate employees.

  • Personalized Learning Paths: We designed a system that adapted to each employee’s learning style and progress, ensuring a unique and effective learning experience.

Ideate: Generating Creative Solutions

Armed with these insights, we held dynamic brainstorming sessions to generate a wealth of ideas. Key concepts included:

  • Interactive Modules: We proposed creating modules that included videos, quizzes, and real-life scenarios.

  • Gamification Elements: We decided to incorporate badges, leaderboards, and rewards to motivate employees.

  • Personalized Learning Paths: We designed a system that adapted to each employee’s learning style and progress, ensuring a unique and effective learning experience.

Prototype: Bringing Ideas to Life

We moved on to the design and development phase, where our ideas took shape:

  • Wireframes and Prototypes: We created wireframes and interactive prototypes to visualize the user interface and user experience. These prototypes allowed us to iterate quickly and refine our designs based on feedback

  • Usability Testing: We conducted tests with real users to gather feedback on the prototypes. This feedback was crucial in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring the design was intuitive and user-friendly.

  • Iterative Design: We continuously improved the prototypes based on user feedback and testing results, ensuring the final product met the needs of our users effectively.

Prototype: Bringing Ideas to Life

We moved on to the design and development phase, where our ideas took shape:

  • Wireframes and Prototypes: We created wireframes and interactive prototypes to visualize the user interface and user experience. These prototypes allowed us to iterate quickly and refine our designs based on feedback

  • Usability Testing: We conducted tests with real users to gather feedback on the prototypes. This feedback was crucial in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring the design was intuitive and user-friendly.

  • Iterative Design: We continuously improved the prototypes based on user feedback and testing results, ensuring the final product met the needs of our users effectively.

UI Design: Merging Legacy and Innovation

We designed both desktop and mobile versions of the app, ensuring a consistent and accessible experience across devices. This included adapting layouts and interactions to suit the different screen sizes and usage contexts.

UI Design: Merging Legacy and Innovation

We designed both desktop and mobile versions of the app, ensuring a consistent and accessible experience across devices. This included adapting layouts and interactions to suit the different screen sizes and usage contexts.

The design aimed to create the illusion of a multicultural journey. To achieve this, we incorporated stamps as achievements and styled the elements with a travel theme.

The design aimed to create the illusion of a multicultural journey. To achieve this, we incorporated stamps as achievements and styled the elements with a travel theme.

Results: Impact on Cisco

The launch of the Cisco Internal Learning App marked a new era in employee development at Cisco. The app quickly became the cornerstone of our cultural training program, yielding impressive results:

  • Increased Engagement: Employee participation in cultural awareness programs soared, with many praising the app's engaging and interactive approach.

  • Improved Cultural Understanding: The app fostered a greater sense of inclusivity and cultural awareness, bridging gaps and building stronger teams.

  • Consistent Learning Experience: A unified approach ensured all employees received high-quality, consistent training regardless of their location.

Results: Impact on Cisco

The launch of the Cisco Internal Learning App marked a new era in employee development at Cisco. The app quickly became the cornerstone of our cultural training program, yielding impressive results:

  • Increased Engagement: Employee participation in cultural awareness programs soared, with many praising the app's engaging and interactive approach.

  • Improved Cultural Understanding: The app fostered a greater sense of inclusivity and cultural awareness, bridging gaps and building stronger teams.

  • Consistent Learning Experience: A unified approach ensured all employees received high-quality, consistent training regardless of their location.

Design System: Key to Consistency and Efficiency

Cisco already had a well-established brand, and we aimed to honor that while introducing fresh, innovative elements. We integrated existing brand elements and components into the new design to maintain brand consistency and familiarity for users.

Design System: Key to Consistency and Efficiency

Cisco already had a well-established brand, and we aimed to honor that while introducing fresh, innovative elements. We integrated existing brand elements and components into the new design to maintain brand consistency and familiarity for users.

Conclusion: Reflection and Future Ambitions

Reflecting on this project, I am immensely proud of our journey. This project demonstrated the power of user-centered design and collaborative teamwork. It highlighted the importance of addressing real user needs and leveraging innovative solutions to create meaningful products.

Conclusion: Reflection and Future Ambitions

Reflecting on this project, I am immensely proud of our journey. This project demonstrated the power of user-centered design and collaborative teamwork. It highlighted the importance of addressing real user needs and leveraging innovative solutions to create meaningful products.

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