Case Study - Retail Banking System Integration

Our customer, a major retail bank, wanted to revise its legacy branch software systems. Many of these systems were outdated and difficult to use and support. The goal was to redesign these systems with a consistent user interface across all systems, complete with a single sign-on, integrated user security and authentication. It would also provide improved usability and meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (2005).

To start with, we helped co-ordinate analysis workshops to deconstruct existing systems and processes, and to set a timetable for designing the new system. We pinned down some baseline requirements and worked with business function owners to begin the process remodelling. We then used a combination of web technology tools and techniques to create interactive prototypes which would allow the new designs to be 'test driven' and to obtain early feedback.

These prototypes were then iteratively refined to reflect refinements to the specifications of the systems. To steer these changes, our consultants used their analysis and usability expertise to help create more detailed and functional revisions.

We were able to add additional value by creating alternatives for several key areas so that business stakeholders could compare and contrast. This provided valuable feedback which reinforced decisions on design direction at key points.

One of the additional requirements of our work with this customer was to create a system which could be used for pre-rollout training. With some modification, we were able to offer this by using our interactive prototypes. The benefit of this was that users would have early access to the new system and get to 'know it' ahead of the launch date.

Overall, the initial work for requirements gathering and prototype creation was completed in a surprisingly short time-frame. This investment in our prototyping and business analysis services allowed a highly complex software system to be redesigned and refined in a shorter timescale and with a lower overall cost.

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