INNOVATION PLATFORM REDESIGN
Transforming the
Research Experience
IBM Research's innovation platform supported over 3,000 researchers across six disconnected tools, resulting in fragmented workflows, frustrated users, and leadership without trusted data.
Over three years, I co-led a systemic transformation that repositioned the platform from a low-priority internal utility to a strategic research ecosystem, integrating core UX improvements with AI-powered intelligence where it mattered most.
A Multi-Year Transformation
A Multi-Year Transformation
The transformation unfolded over three years. Core platform improvements (workflows, governance, dashboards) provided the foundation.
At the same time, AI capabilities were kept small (Recommendations), scaled to critical needs (Intelligent Search), orchestrated across the platform (AI Blueprint), and unified under one brand (Clarity).
The Impact
PRODUCTIVITY
+20%
efficiency on core tasks
Researchers spending less time on admin, more time on discovery.
SIGNIFICANT WIN
INTERNAL ADOPTION
+36%
usage increase YOY
The platform became essential, not avoided.
ENGAGEMENT
+10
Net Promoter Score
From frustration to trust.
DesignOps & Experience Foundations
Conducted cross-platform experience audits and foundational user research to map system-wide gaps across six disconnected tools.
Built scalable product design standards, component libraries, and operational workflows that enabled consistent delivery, earned cross-functional trust, and established design practice as a solo designer supporting multiple engineering teams.
As the sole designer, I scaled UX delivery by combining strong design thinking methods, sharp research, communication, and DesignOps skills.
Powerful storytelling, clear acceptance criteria and component documentation, high-fidelity prototypes, and test plans accelerated engineering velocity and drove platform impact.
EVANGELISM & LEADERSHIP
50+
design playbacks
held
HANDS-ON EXECUTION
230+
design stories delivered
HIGH-IMPACT COLLABORATION
10
guided strategic sessions
THE AI LAYER
Discovery & Intelligence
Recommendations proved the knowledge graph worked. That unlocked intelligent search. The Blueprint mapped where to orchestrate AI across the entire platform.
AI Recommendations
Proved AI-powered discovery through knowledge graph integration and participatory design.
Intelligent Search
Scaled semantic search with unified metadata across 40+ entity types.
AI Blueprint & Researcher Profiles
Mapped platform-wide AI orchestration and enhanced researcher discoverability.
THE STRUCTURAL BACKBONE
Strategy, Governance & Workflows
Redesigned how strategy flows through the system, from leadership intent to team execution to secure approvals.
Redesigned Strategic Taxonomy for Scalable Execution
Flexible Systematized Research Strategy Communication
Transparent Review & Governance Workflow
Streamlined Research Intake System
Secure Admin & Access Controls
ENGAGING WITH THE DATA & EACH OTHER
Insights & Engagement
Made research visible, actionable, and collaborative; reducing noise while surfacing what matters.
Redesigned Dashboards for Role-based Clarity
Strategic Insights Dashboard
Project Overview Page Redesign
Smarter Notification System
Collections Overhaul
I’d love to share more details.
“You cannot understand good design if you do not understand people;
design is made for people.”
— DIETER RAMS