Integrating Operations Analysis, UX Design, and Process Improvement: A Formal Case Study

Goals

To understand how operational trade data flows through a banking environment and assess how user experience design can reduce friction in trade processing, exception handling, and decision-making.

Methods and Tools Used

This case study documents a personal operations simulation inspired by real-world banking workflows within institutions such as Lloyds Bank. The project focused on how trade data moves across operational teams and how unclear data structures or interface design can introduce delays, errors, and operational risk.

The primary objectives were to:

• Map a realistic trade operations workflow

• Design a structured system to track assets, SLAs, settlements, and exceptions

• Evaluate how UX design principles could improve data clarity and operational efficiency

Tools & Methods Used

The project began with workflow mapping to model a simplified end-to-end trade operations process, including trade capture, settlement tracking, SLA monitoring, and exception escalation.

A structured Trade Operations Log was designed using Excel to simulate how operational teams might track:

• Asset types

• Settlement status

• SLA deadlines

• Exception flags and resolution status

Alongside this, a UX audit of the Lloyds Banking interface was conducted, focusing on:

• Visual hierarchy

• Consistency of UI elements

• Readability of key operational information

• Interaction patterns affecting speed and accuracy

UX heuristics and interface analysis were applied to identify areas where design decisions could unintentionally increase cognitive load or slow decision-making.

Outcomes & Learnings

The simulation demonstrated how clearer data structuring and improved visual hierarchy can support faster exception identification and reduce the likelihood of operational oversight. By separating critical fields, standardising labels, and prioritising time-sensitive information, the redesigned structure improved clarity and usability.

From a professional perspective, this project strengthened my understanding of:

• How UX directly impacts operational efficiency, not just aesthetics

• The importance of data clarity in risk-sensitive environments

• The relationship between operations, decision-making, and interface design

It also reinforced the value of user-centred thinking in back-office and operational roles, where efficiency and accuracy are critical.