Challenges Before Implementation
- Frequent Context Switching – Users had to navigate away from their current workflow to access supporting documents, causing frustration and inefficiency.
- Cumbersome Document Review – Loan officers often compared multiple documents side-by-side, but existing workflows forced them to switch between different screens, slowing down the process.
- Manual Navigation Fatigue – Users frequently lost their place in the workflow, increasing cognitive load and slowing down decision-making.
In early 2021, I designed and implemented a side drawer feature for a Loan Origination System (LOS). Though initially created for a single use case, I envisioned it becoming a core platform feature. The drawer streamlined document access, reduced processing time, and enhanced workflow efficiency across the system.
Scalable Feature with Widespread Adoption
Persistent & Accessible – The side drawer allowed users to access documents without leaving their current workflow.
Flexible Document Viewing – Users could open and toggle between multiple documents, making 1:many comparisons seamless.
Minimized Navigation Burden – The feature was designed to reduce cognitive load, keeping users focused on critical decision points.
Scalable Implementation – The design was modular and could be extended beyond its initial use case, allowing adoption across different workflows.
Flexible Document Viewing – Users could open and toggle between multiple documents, making 1:many comparisons seamless.
Minimized Navigation Burden – The feature was designed to reduce cognitive load, keeping users focused on critical decision points.
Scalable Implementation – The design was modular and could be extended beyond its initial use case, allowing adoption across different workflows.
Internal Tools | Fintech
all work
Other Projects
Overview
Introducing the LOS Side Drawer
Impact & Results
📊 Time Savings & Productivity Gains
💰 Financial Impact
🚀 Workflow Optimization & UX Impact
📈 Long-Term Adoption & Scalability
- 30 seconds saved per document access
- 62.5 hours saved daily across all users
- Cumulative time savings: 62,500 hours over 4 years
💰 Financial Impact
- $781,250 in estimated annual cost savings based on time saved
- $3.1M+ cumulative savings over 4 years
🚀 Workflow Optimization & UX Impact
- Reduced context switching, allowing users to stay in their workflow
- Enhanced document comparison, making 1:many reviews effortless
- Minimized cognitive load, improving user focus and efficiency
📈 Long-Term Adoption & Scalability
- Expanded beyond original use case, now utilized throughout the LOS system
- Positive user feedback, validating its success as a core UX improvement
- Potential to handle more loans due to increased efficiency
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
The LOS Side Drawer has become a legacy feature, improving daily operations, reducing inefficiencies, and delivering significant cost savings. Its scalability and widespread adoption highlight its long-term value, showcasing the impact of thoughtful UX design in financial SaaS platforms.
Reducing Context Switching & Improving Efficiency
Design Approach
Financial & Platform UX/UXR
Measurable Business Impact
Systems Thinking