Microsoft Managed Desktop
Assessment Readiness Tool
The Assessment Readiness Tool ensures that IT administrators and partners have the best experience when enrolling in Microsoft Managed Desktop. The web application checks network, device, and Microsoft cloud settings. Using an intuitive and simple workflow, it shows the required steps to modernize these areas in order to join the service and be setup for success.
The prospective users of this tool are IT administrators at medium to large companies using the Microsoft Azure or Microsoft Intune platform. Before this tool, Microsoft operations and engineering spend hours, if not days, hand-holding customers through this process. All customers have different needs so Microsoft could not hand out a one-size-fits all guidance.
My role & responsibilities
-
Create the user experience from the ground up
-
Create low to high fidelity wireframes and prototypes
-
Work with Microsoft researches to create usability tests and observe participants
-
Communicate with Microsoft customers and subject matter expert
-
Lead UX design critiques with Microsoft Intune and Azure
First design concepts
The first design concepts were done in low-fidelity wireframes in Figma. The concepts started with a wizard pattern to introduce users to the tool and help them initiate a set of checks on their IT infrastructure.
The IT administrator is then presented with a list of tasks, specific to them, to be completed in order to be ready for Microsoft Managed Desktop. The list was broken up in to required and recommended tasks. More complicated tasks can be opened to show details and can link out to external documentation.
Prototyping and iteration
I created prototypes from wireframes using Figma. I then worked with Microsoft researchers to conduct usability testing that helped drive the iteration of the wireframes. Integrations started at low-fidelity and gradually moved to higher fidelity as visual design and Microsoft design standards were applied. Throughout the process, I kept customers and design matter experts engaged in the process. Some of the major changes made were the following:
Replaced wizard with getting started pattern
Usability testing showed IT administrators did not appreciate having to run sets of checks in a certain order with the wizard. This was due to the unique needs of each customer. The getting started pattern allowed the customer to understand the two different checks quickly, then run them in any order.
Showed big picture with aggregated data
The dashboard allows IT admins to see the big picture and focus on a smaller list of tasks. It separates results in to 4 key areas: Management settings, devices, configuration settings, and network endpoints. Each section has their own set of similar items for the IT administrator to resolve.
Created individual reports to group similar checks
Each report shows information important for IT administrators resolving tasks in that area. Items can be sorted, exported, and expanded.
Outcome
Design was done on schedule, was well received by the Microsoft Intune and Azure teams, and approved by Microsoft design critiques and engineering. The solution was a big help to the Microsoft Intune and Azure teams and their customers. It allowed the teams to focus more on the Microsoft Managed Desktop service itself and less on having to manually help customers get ready to use it. Customers were happy that instructions were clear, and they could get started with the service earlier.