Hello,
I’m Chris
I build teams who design simplicity from complexity.
My philosophy
Never settle for the first solution. Refine. Iterate. Improve. Always.
2024
2022
2019
2017
2015
2018
2014
Developer Transformation
Recently, I’ve been tacking a looming challenge at IBM: streamlining and updating the internal developer experience. This is a large process and organizational project. It is almost more about fixing cross functional communication than the experience itself. This project required developing a vision, and selling it to a diverse set of VPs with specific OKRs. I crafted a message that illustrated how working together (and cross divisions), we could more rapidly drive change while maintaining information security. This integration provides a huge value to productivity in a changing development environment and set IBM up for the future with a focus on AI integrations and modernization.
Intranet Unification
IBM has a robust suite of intranet tools for making employees everyday work easier. While each tool was excellent, there was friction in switching between them and inconsistencies in look and feel. In 2019, I proposed a vision to unify several core internal tools, leveraging a robust internal design system. We leveraged the multiplayer editor capabilities of Figma to keep this complex project in sync and cohesive through: team design sessions, critiques, and always up-to-date designs for development (eliminating the “hand-off”). This led to higher use, faster time to find information and a Nielsen Norman Group Intranet Design Annual award in 2022.
Corporate Financials
IBM’s most important finance data delivered to the glass of its CEO, Ginni Rometty. She needed a way to have IBM’s up to date financials on demand. This information would benefit all of the SVPs despite sometimes warring priorities. The design was a success but it uncovered systemic challenges of the data streams. This project led to restructuring internal financial reporting, and the creation of a new division focused on unifying financial reporting across the corporation.
Partner CRM
The IBM business partner CRM system needs revamping. This was a project to bring this important channel into more modern and complete solution. Based on SugarCRM, I worked with IBM Business Partners throughout the world to define the business need, strategy, and design.
Useful Cognitive
Early work in incorporating AI and Machine learning to bring client insights to sales and product teams. This zero-to-one project condensed customer feedback and competitive analysis to provide sales angles as well as product enhancements to make IBM more competitive.
Client First
Working for the Client Experience office, I created several applications targeted at bringing client information to sales and executive hands. One critical application was Client Alerts, which provided rapid access to high impact issues with client accounts so they can be resolved as quickly as possible.
Data Visualization
At the onset of corporate smartphone adoption we needed to have a better way to track the growth of mobile adoption. I started with a Design Thinking workshop and crafted a set of metrics that met a variety of interests.
