Company

• OutSystems - Low code software development and CI/CD platform

Role

• UX and Team Lead

Key Skills

• Team leadership
• Stakeholder management
• Service thinking

Scope

In the context of Identity and Access management on the OutSystems platform, I was responsible for leading the design of the base authentication system, including the user facing login and self-service screens (e.g. password reset). This required a deep understanding of the underlying cloud system supporting identity, and negotiation with stakeholders.

Login screen with external Identity provider support

Self-service password reset screen

Self-service password update

Challenge

The opportunity to design from the ground up Identity and Access Management for a cloud platform has come with its set of challenges. My team had to bridge the product requirements, engineering constraints, and feasibility needs.

• Product: ensure the specified outcomes are achieved and use cases supported by the designed experiences;
• Engineering: consider the technological constraints and limitations as part of the experience;
• Feasibility: deliver on time and with quality, to ensure the success of the initiative.

From a leadership perspective, I was given the challenge to lead a team without both product and technical background. My team was re-structured during the initiative, requiring me to quickly and effectively onboard the new team members, while gaining the required context myself.

Strategy

• Identification of key stakeholders, and getting buy in, specifically from architecture, development and product management, through frequent alignment.
• Get a clear understanding on the roadmap ahead, development needs, to support successful negotiation with the key stakeholders, and create a proper plan.
• Identify the constraints, limitations, resources and context, so that I could enable the team and start from a clear starting point
• Clearly manage expectations and support team members, acknowledging their challenge, properly support them with required context, and celebrate their achievements.

Key achievements

As a result of the team efforts, we were able to:

• Successfully deliver on time and providing an experience supporting the defined outcomes.
• Establish a strong and competent team, with the required skillsets to address the following initiatives.
• Grow people in their expertise area and career level
• Create a strong lasting relationship with PM, PO, Architecture and Engineering, creating the proper bridges to have stakeholders’ support