The discovery phase began with a review of previous research to establish context and identify recurring pain points. From there, I conducted contextual inquiries with researchers using the legacy tool, observing firsthand how they documented and tracked tests across multiple screens and navigation layers. These sessions revealed major friction points in functionality, layout, and workflow that contributed to inefficiency and data inconsistencies.

To further understand the system’s constraints, I held developer interviews to map out where and when data was entered, processed, and displayed—exposing gaps between the system’s logic and the user’s mental model. Stakeholder and user group interviews across six different teams helped clarify diverse needs, workflows, and definitions of success.

I synthesized findings by sketching process and system flows that visualized how information moved through the tool and where breakdowns occurred. Finally, I conducted user testing to validate assumptions, refine task flows, and confirm that proposed design directions improved usability and reduced cognitive load. This research-to-insight process established a shared understanding of user needs and technical realities, forming the foundation for a more intuitive and efficient design solution.