User Experience Design | Product Design | User ResearchStock Plan Connect App
Creating a mobile app for the Morgan Stanley Stock Plan Connect platform to facilitate stock management & trading on the go
The Need
Morgan Stanley had a native desktop platform designed exclusively for stock plan participants to manage their assets. However, access was limited to desktop, and customers were demanding the on-the-go plan management capabilities that a mobile app would afford them.
Approach
As UX strategist and designer on this project, I collaborated with a Morgan Stanley business analyst to replicate the functionality and requirements from the SPC desktop platform and interpret them into user-friendly mobile patterns for a seamless mobile experience for iPhone and Android devices.
User Validation Testing
Once a functional prototype of the tool was available, I led a user research study to validate the usability of the mobile app according to the ISO standards - ensuring that it could be used by specified users to achieve the specified goal of stock management with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.
This was done through conducting 16 one-on-one usability sessions with participants recruited in the target demographic. Testing uncovered insights around perceived value, performance, and usage of the app. The need for a mobile app was validated with users citing that being able to manage their plans on the go and having mobile notifications would make them more aware about award activity & events. Participants struggled with the abundance of jargon used in the app during the test sessions, which created a barrier to understanding the tasks they were completing.
This feedback informed an update to the terminology used in the app and the integration of explainer text to educate users.
Results
The mobile app launch saw a 45% adoption rate by current SPC users within the first three months, demonstrating strong user demand and fulfilling the initial need for on-the-go plan management.
Several versions of app have been released since this 1.0 version. As a testament to the strength of this first release, they have stayed consistent with the flows and UI patterns I established.
Adoption Rate
45%
with existing SPC customers