Debrief
What I learned
User Testing Reveals Systemic Gaps
User testing proved to be the most transformative research method. Hearing directly from
athletes exposed a critical insight: while the platform functioned, the Monster Army program
itself was not fully delivering meaningful value in supporting long-term athlete
development. The issue wasn’t just interface friction—it was a gap between the program’s
mission and the lived experience of its users.
We also uncovered an overlooked audience: athlete parents and guardians. Parents play a
significant role in shaping amateur athletes’ decisions, yet their needs were largely
unaddressed. This revealed an opportunity to provide clearer guidance, educational
resources, and planning tools to support informed decision-making throughout an athlete’s
journey.
Research as a strategic lever
The brand awareness survey provided quantifiable evidence that elevated UX from a design
initiative to a business priority. The data enabled athlete managers to advocate for
additional investment and organizational support to improve the overall quality and
perception of the Monster Army brand.
Beyond the UI, we identified a larger opportunity within administrative
workflows. Applying UX principles to backend processes—particularly payout and approval
systems—had the potential to significantly reduce delays, improve operational efficiency,
and enhance the overall athlete experience. This reinforced a key lesson: UX impact extends
beyond screens into systems and operations.
What I would do differently
With more time, I would invest deeper in understanding the behaviors and decision-making
patterns of athlete parents. Research revealed clear opportunity areas, but additional
behavioral analysis could have strengthened our strategy and expanded the program’s value
proposition.
I would also push harder to align stakeholders around modernizing administrative
workflows.
While time and organizational resistance limited how much change we could implement,
stronger early framing around efficiency gains and business impact may have unlocked broader
transformation.
Top Design Constraints
Organizational Resistance
Administrative workflows were deeply ingrained, and some internal teams were resistant to
altering existing processes. As a result, we focused improvements on areas within our
influence, designing up to points of operational constraint while laying groundwork for
future change.
Brand Guidelines
Working within an established style guide introduced structure but also provided efficiency.
The existing visual system allowed us to move quickly while extending the brand
thoughtfully.
Time
With an eight-month timeline tied to open enrollment, prioritization was critical. We defined
a focused MVP aligned to core objectives and created a clear roadmap to ensure stakeholder
alignment and development feasibility.
