URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/case-study-research-repository
Title
TD UX Research Repository
Year
2023
Employer
TD Bank
Project Contributions
Service Designer, Product Design Lead, Product Owner, Developer (Power FX)
Led the design, structuring, development, and automation of the repository.
Tags
Knowledge Management
Data Structuring
Cost Efficiency
Tools
Microsoft PowerApps
SharePoint
Power Automate
MS Forms
Metrics
📂 12 years of UX research centralized
⏳ 11,500+ hours saved annually
💰 $120K saved in licensing fees
🔍 AI-powered knowledge management system Roadmap
Core Team
Research Librarian – Managed data organization and ensured research integrity.
UX Researcher – Contributed to repository structuring and usability testing.
Copywriter – Assisted in refining research documentation and ensuring content clarity.
Project Intro
TD required a structured approach to UX research data management to improve accessibility, efficiency, and knowledge retention across teams. The goal was to build a centralized research repository that enabled faster decision-making and enhanced cross-team collaboration.
Content
The TD UX Research Repository transformed research accessibility, reducing inefficiencies and enhancing collaboration across teams. This initiative set a new standard for data-driven UX decision-making at TD, ensuring long-term scalability and impact. The structured system allowed teams to retrieve insights instantly, share findings seamlessly, and make informed design choices based on historical research data.
Challenge
Disorganized research data, making insights difficult to access and apply.
Duplicate research efforts, leading to inefficiencies and wasted resources.
Lack of a unified repository, creating silos across teams and business units.
Difficulty in knowledge retention, causing a loss of valuable UX insights over time.
Solution
Developed a structured research repository, organizing insights for easy retrieval.
Automated metadata tagging, enabling better categorization and faster search.
Integrated UX research findings, providing a single source of truth across teams.
Reduced reliance on third-party tools, saving costs and improving internal data security.
Designed an intuitive interface, allowing researchers to store, categorize, and retrieve insights effortlessly.
Ensured cross-team accessibility, making research insights available across design, product, and strategy teams.
Impact
Saved 11,500+ work hours annually by reducing duplicate research and improving accessibility.
Eliminated $120K in licensing costs, optimizing TD’s research infrastructure.
Improved decision-making efficiency, enabling product teams to leverage existing insights faster.
Standardized research documentation, ensuring insights were preserved and reused efficiently.
Enhanced collaboration across teams, strengthening knowledge sharing and research impact.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/td-ccaas-project
Title
TD Contact Center AI Integration (CCaaS)
Year
2022
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
I led the development of a human-centered enablement strategy that equipped implementation teams with the tools, frameworks, and processes to self-drive user-centered outcomes while maintaining enterprise UX integrity.
Tags
Program Design
Target Operating Model
Employee Tooling
Design Thinking
Workshop Facilitation
Qualitative Research
Information Architecture
UX Strategy
Agile Methodologies
User Research
Journey Mapping
Stakeholder Collaboration
Tools
Mural
(Discovery Workshop Facilitation)PowerAutomate
& SharePoint
(Process Automation & Structured Reporting)Microsoft Teams
& Confluence
(Collaboration & Documentation)
Metrics
📊 60+ business lines onboarded
🤖 User-centered NLP system implementation
🎯 Standardized engagement workshops
📚 SME-aligned facilitation guides
Core Team
Program Lead
Design Strategists
Agile Coaches
Implementation Leads
Project Intro
TD Bank embarked on a large-scale Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) transformation, aiming to enhance customer experience across 60+ Lines of Business (LoBs). Given the scale, it became clear that traditional UX staffing models would not scale — a new approach was needed to maintain strategic UX alignment across diverse, parallel implementation workstreams.
Content
The scale of TD’s CCaaS transformation required more than just UX research—it needed a system that allowed for decentralized UX execution while maintaining strategic alignment. When I was consulted during the Plan phase, it became clear that the initiative was too large for a single UX SME, as multiple parallel implementation workstreams required simultaneous support.
To bridge this gap, I pivoted from direct UX involvement in every workstream to an enablement strategy, equipping implementation teams with self-sufficient UX tools, research frameworks, and playbooks. This approach ensured that every business line could define its unique customer service needs, map workflows, and drive implementation success while maintaining UX integrity across teams.
At the heart of this approach was a series of Mural-based discovery workshops. Rather than embedding UX specialists into each workstream, I designed structured workshops that allowed teams to self-identify their specific challenges and tailor the CCaaS platform to their needs. To support this effort, I developed:
A comprehensive implementation playbook, detailing best practices, step-by-step facilitation guides, and research-backed methodologies.
A structured taxonomy and project hub, ensuring documentation remained accessible and aligned across all teams.
Automated tracking and reporting mechanisms, leveraging PowerAutomate and SharePoint to provide real-time project visibility to leadership.
This shift in strategy resulted in a scalable, research-driven approach to CCaaS implementation, ensuring high adoption rates, increased efficiency, and a user-centered experience for over 60 business lines.
Challenge
Over 60 business lines, each with unique workflows and customer needs.
Limited UX specialist availability relative to the number of parallel tracks.
Inconsistent adoption of UX principles across teams.
Leadership required standardized documentation, reporting, and visibility.
Emerging concerns around Telephobia (phone communication anxiety) needed to be addressed in service design.
Solution
Pivoted the UX strategy from embedded delivery to decentralized enablement, including:
Sprint Zero Discovery Workshops: Facilitated Mural-based workshops engaging stakeholders to uncover platform customization needs.
Telephobia Research Study: Led user research on communication anxiety to inform inclusive design adaptations like chat-first service pathways.
Implementation Playbook: Developed step-by-step facilitation guides, research templates, and human-centered best practices.
Structured Taxonomy and Project Hub: Created a unified, centralized system for documentation and knowledge management.
Automated Tracking: Integrated PowerAutomate and SharePoint tools for real-time progress tracking and leadership reporting.
Training and Enablement: Delivered facilitation training to Agile coaches and implementation leads, standardizing UX adoption across business lines.
Impact
60+ business lines onboarded through human-centered frameworks.
User-centered NLP (Natural Language Processing) system implemented, respecting communication barriers like phone anxiety.
Standardized engagement model increased UX consistency across workstreams.
Centralized documentation hub improved transparency and cross-team alignment.
Reduced operational complexity and supported a seamless CCaaS transition.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/td-wire-origination-transformation-project
Title
TD Domestic Wire Origination Transformation
Year
2021
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
Led collaborative sessions to map friction points and optimize workflows.
Tags
Digital Transformation
Environmental Impact
Tools
Lean UX
Design-Thinking
Mural
Figma
Metrics
⏱️ Time Savings: 4.5 hrs/week per researcher
🌍 Environmental Impact: 1.56M pages
🏢 Branches: 1,158
📢 Reach: 10M customers
Core Team
Design Lead
Business Analyst
SMEs (Wire Ops)
Tech Lead
Project Intro
TD sought to modernize its Domestic Wire Origination (WOT) system, transitioning from an outdated Lotus Notes-based workflow with dot matrix printers to an efficient, digital-first experience. The legacy system required significant manual input, leading to long processing times, high error rates, and operational inefficiencies. As part of the transformation, I contributed by designing wireframes and collaborating with UI designers on a prototype to support the system overhaul.
Content
Before this transformation, TD’s wire origination process relied on an aging Lotus Notes system and dot matrix printers, requiring employees to manually enter transaction details, print documentation, and validate transfers through cumbersome workflows. This outdated system led to frequent errors, long processing times, and inefficiencies that impacted customer service.
During the system overhaul, I designed wireframes and worked with the UI designer to develop an interactive prototype that aligned with modern banking requirements. This prototype helped define the new digital workflows, ensuring that transactions were handled faster, more accurately, and with better compliance monitoring. By eliminating unnecessary manual steps, the new system significantly improved the employee experience and operational efficiency.
Challenge
Replace the outdated Lotus Notes system and dot matrix printing with a modern, scalable digital solution.
Improve the efficiency and accuracy of wire origination transactions, reducing processing errors.
Ensure compliance with banking regulations, integrating fraud prevention and validation measures.
Enhance the user experience for branch employees handling wire transfers, minimizing training requirements.
Solution
Designed wireframes to define the new system’s layout and user interactions.
Collaborated with the UI designer to develop a prototype that modernized the wire origination interface.
Streamlined task flows by eliminating redundant steps and automating data validation.
Developed a role-based access model, ensuring compliance-driven permissions.
Conducted usability testing, refining the prototype based on branch employee feedback
Impact
Reduced processing times by 40%, improving transaction speed and user efficiency.
Eliminated reliance on Lotus Notes and dot matrix printing, transitioning to a fully digital system.
Lowered error rates by 30%, minimizing costly transaction reversals and compliance risks.
Improved adoption and usability, reducing training time for branch employees.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/york-university-ai-student-assistant
Title
York University: SAVY – Student Virtual Assistant
Year
2020
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
Co-facilitated the SAVY workshop and synthesis, and conducted user research to inform the initiative.
Tags
ai-chatbot
student-support
conversational-design
ibm-watson
education-technology
Tools
Metrics
Core Team
IBM iX UX team
Watson SMEs
University Stakeholders
Project Intro
Co-facilitated the SAVY workshop and synthesis, and conducted user research to inform the initiative. Designed and launched SAVY, a conversational AI built on IBM Watson, to support York students with 24/7 access to academic calendars, wellness services, campus events, wayfinding, and personalized reminders. The chatbot served as a first point of contact and continuously improved through student interaction and feedback.
Content
York University partnered with IBM iX to reimagine student support through AI. We designed and launched SAVY, a Watson-powered conversational assistant that helps students navigate university life with ease. From academic calendars and health services to event info and wayfinding, SAVY delivers relevant support 24/7.
I co-facilitated the discovery workshop and synthesized research insights into a service blueprint that ensured alignment with student needs. SAVY continuously evolves through student feedback, and its successful adoption positioned York as a leader in digital transformation within higher education.
Challenge
York University aimed to improve how students accessed campus information and support services. Existing systems were fragmented and often difficult to navigate, resulting in confusion and disengagement. With a growing student body and demand for instant access, the university needed a scalable solution that could deliver accurate, timely answers—24/7.
Solution
We co-facilitated discovery workshops with students and stakeholders to define high-value use cases and determine the ideal experience. I conducted user research and synthesized findings into a service blueprint, ensuring alignment with real student needs. The result was SAVY: a Watson-powered chatbot offering 24/7 conversational access to academic calendars, health services, campus events, wayfinding, and personalized reminders. SAVY integrated with York’s existing ecosystem and evolved through student interaction and feedback.
Impact
SAVY launched successfully to over 50,000 undergraduate students, becoming their first point of contact for campus services. It reduced reliance on human support staff, improved navigation across services, and increased student satisfaction. The chatbot’s design was informed by students, for students—ensuring relevance and adoption across all faculties. SAVY was also one of the first virtual assistants in Canada’s post-secondary space, positioning York as a digital innovator.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/ibm-service-canada-benefits-modernization
Title
Canada.ca: My Service Canada Architecture
Year
2020
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
Research Synthesis
Formulated North Star
AI-integrated experience blueprints for benefits access
Tags
Research Synthesis
Future Vision
Public Sector Transformation
Tools
Mural
Confluence
Service Design Blueprint
Metrics
⏱️ Accelerated Decision-Making
🗻 Clear Product Vision
Core Team
UX Strategists
Business Analysts
Technical Architects
Project Intro
As part of the Benefits Delivery Modernization (BDM) initiative, I was engaged as a consultant through IBM, collaborating with IBM and Deloitte to envision the future architecture of My Service Canada...
Content
The existing benefits delivery infrastructure is disconnected, inefficient, and reactive, making it difficult for Canadians to navigate available services. My role was to synthesize existing research, future-state concepts, and technical insights into a unified architectural blueprint, showing how AI, data lakes, and government software could be integrated.
During the Alpha Phase of the delivery framework, I identified a gap in visualization—while previous engagements conceptualized a future state, they lacked a clear, large-scale schematic demonstrating the relationships between government benefits platforms, AI-driven insights, and citizen interactions.
By creating a structured blueprint, I helped articulate how individual benefits systems would be connected, where data would be centralized, and how provincial and federal programs could integrate for a seamless citizen experience. This included:
AI-driven automation to detect and notify users of eligibility.
A centralized platform, replacing fragmented applications with a unified user journey.
A scalable model, allowing iterative improvements without disrupting government operations.
The final output was a comprehensive visualization of My Service Canada’s future architecture, helping align stakeholders, guide technical teams, and ensure a proactive, citizen-first benefits system.
Challenge
Research and insight reports from multiple engagements without one consolidated vision.
Fragmented benefits delivery systems, leading to inefficiencies, delays, and confusion for citizens.
Lack of centralized data integration, making it difficult to proactively inform users of their eligibility.
Complex regulatory landscape, requiring coordination between federal and provincial benefit programs.
Need for a unified digital experience, ensuring intuitive and seamless user interactions.
Solution
Developed service design blueprints, visually mapping technical and service integration for benefits delivery.
Structured data relationships across government platforms, ensuring a single, user-friendly touchpoint for citizens.
Envisioned AI-driven eligibility detection, allowing proactive benefit recommendations.
Designed a schematic representation of how systems like IBM Curam, SADA, and predictive analytics tools integrate into the broader digital landscape.
Collaborated across workstreams, aligning insights from prior BDM research and engagements.
Impact
Created a clear, scalable framework, enabling government teams to plan future benefits integration efficiently.
Bridged the gap between service design and technical teams, fostering cross-functional collaboration.
Laid the groundwork for a centralized MyServiceCanada platform, improving communication and proactive citizen engagement.
Enabled a proactive service approach, where citizens are informed of eligibility dynamically rather than through reactive applications.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/air-canada-aeroplan-project
Title
Air Canada: AI-Driven Research & Loyalty Personalization
Year
2020
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
Led targeted research and iterative prototyping to refine design iterations.
Tags
UX Research Automation
Loyalty Program Integration
Remote Usability Testing
AI-Powered Transcription
Prototype Automation
Mobile Experience Design
Tools
Mailchimp
Otter.AI
UserTesting.com
Figma
InVision
Metrics
64 frequent flyer sponsor users recruited and interviewed to gather onboarding insights.
Core Team
UX Researchers
Product Managers
Designers
Developers
Project Intro
Air Canada sought to seamlessly integrate the Aeroplan loyalty program into its mobile and web experiences, ensuring a frictionless user experience for members. This initiative also involved automating research workflows to enhance the efficiency of customer insights gathering, improving decision-making across digital touchpoints.
Content
With the acquisition of Aeroplan, Air Canada needed a seamless and user-friendly loyalty program integration. The challenge was ensuring that the new design met the needs of diverse users, from frequent flyers to first-time members.
To guide this transition, I led user research and testing, ensuring that onboarding and redemption were intuitive and effortless. The participant panel of 64 frequent flyers allowed us to identify usability pain points early and iterate rapidly.
A key innovation was automating research insights using AI-powered transcription, significantly reducing analysis time while improving feedback accuracy. We also optimized key features like Family Pooling, Pay with Points, and Seat Maps, ensuring seamless functionality.
By integrating research automation, streamlining user flows, and leveraging real-world user insights, we created a smoother, more engaging loyalty experience—driving adoption and increasing satisfaction among Aeroplan members.
Challenge
Complex Aeroplan integration, requiring seamless transitions for existing members.
Need for automation in UX research, reducing manual effort in data collection and synthesis.
Improving the Aeroplan onboarding experience, ensuring higher customer adoption.
Optimizing the points redemption process, making it more intuitive and user-friendly.
Solution
Designed an optimized onboarding flow, making it easier for users to link Aeroplan with Air Canada accounts.
Developed research automation workflows, streamlining customer insights gathering through transcription-driven analysis.
Enhanced the Aeroplan points redemption UI, improving navigation and usability.
Conducted usability testing and iterative design improvements, refining the experience based on customer feedback.
Impact
Increased engagement with the Aeroplan loyalty program, improving customer retention.
Reduced manual UX research workload, automating insights collection and synthesis.
Improved user satisfaction, making Aeroplan onboarding and redemption faster and more intuitive.
Strengthened Air Canada’s customer insights pipeline, ensuring data-driven product enhancements.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/bundled-application-design-for-ontario-works-and-odsp
Title
Bundled Application Design for Ontario Works and ODSP
Year
2019
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
Conducted qualitative field interviews with Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) caseworkers to uncover operational and citizen pain points.
Designed and usability-tested bundled application prototypes with frontline staff and citizen participants.
Developed adaptive service flows to minimize duplicated data entry, cognitive load, and user friction.
Delivered a prioritized refinement roadmap, integrating iterative testing feedback to guide implementation.
Tags
Service Bundling
Qualitative Research
Prototype Testing
Public Sector UX
Accessibility Research
Literacy-First Design
Journey Mapping
Human-Centered Design
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Ontario Works (OW)
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
My Service Canada Platform
Tools
Metrics
Core Team
Developer
IBM Partner
Scrum Master
UX Research and Design Lead (me)
Project Intro
Between 2019 and 2020, I contributed to a service design initiative for Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) focused on improving access to social supports. Through qualitative research with frontline caseworkers, we uncovered a critical gap: individuals often needed Ontario Works (OW) benefits to bridge the lengthy wait times for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) eligibility. In response, I led the design of a bundled application approach, creating user-centered prototype flows and service blueprints that aligned with operational realities and better supported citizen needs during transitional periods.
Content
The traditional Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) application processes were fragmented, forcing citizens to navigate multiple disconnected systems and submit redundant information across separate applications.
Through in-depth interviews with frontline OW and ODSP caseworkers, I uncovered operational pain points, including duplicated data entry, prolonged processing times, and service handoff gaps that delayed support for vulnerable individuals.
Using these insights, I designed a bundled digital application flow integrated with My Service Canada, allowing users to:
Apply for Ontario Works assistance immediately if needed.
Seamlessly transition into ODSP disability assessment without restarting the application or re-entering personal data.
Key Focus Areas:
Plain Language and Accessibility-First Content: Ensuring the experience was understandable, inclusive, and barrier-free.
Streamlined Service Pathways: Aligning application flows with real operational requirements, eliminating duplicated information entry.
Prototype Testing: Conducting iterative testing sessions with both workers and citizens to validate usability, accessibility, and operational feasibility.
Challenge
Ensure seamless bundling of Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) applications while maintaining compliance, operational efficiency, and caseworker workflows.
Minimize user frustration by eliminating redundant steps, reducing duplicated data entry, and lowering cognitive load during the application process.
Address accessibility barriers and literacy challenges to support a diverse range of applicants, ensuring the application experience was inclusive, understandable, and equitable.
Solution
Led qualitative research interviews with Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) service staff to uncover operational realities and inform design decisions.
Designed bundled prototype workflows that aligned citizen needs with frontline caseworker processes, reducing duplicated steps and streamlining the transition between programs.
Conducted iterative usability testing with caseworkers and citizens to validate, refine, and optimize the bundled application experience.
Delivered a comprehensive service blueprint and a prioritized refinement roadmap to guide development and ensure alignment with operational and compliance requirements.
Impact
Streamlined citizen access to essential supports through a single, bundled OW and ODSP application experience.
Strengthened cross-program collaboration between Ontario Works and ODSP delivery teams, improving service continuity and operational efficiency.
Advanced literacy-first and accessibility-first design practices within public benefit applications, making the process more inclusive and user-friendly for diverse applicants.
Supported ESDC’s broader modernization goals by enabling integrated benefit access through a unified, citizen-centered digital service.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/air-canada-chatbot-poc
Title
Air Canada Chatbot Concept
Year
2019
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
Conceptualized and led rapid prototyping to evaluate a self-serve conversational interface.
Tags
Conversational AI
Chatbot Prototyping
Watson Integration
UX Strategy
Service Automation
Tools
Chatbot Framework
Conversation Design
Metrics
🛠️ Prototype Validation
🤖 Early AI Exploration
Core Team
UX Researchers
Conversation Designers
Project Intro
As part of Air Canada’s digital strategy exploration, an AI-driven chatbot concept was developed using IBM Watson AI to assess the potential of automated customer interactions.
Content
The Air Canada Chatbot PoC was an early exploration into conversational AI. I led the design and testing of a self-serve chatbot prototype that demonstrated how natural language interfaces—potentially enhanced by Watson AI and Genesys Cloud NLM—could streamline customer service. This project provided critical early insights into integrating AI-driven automation into customer interactions.
Challenge
Identify opportunities where conversational AI could improve customer service efficiency and align chatbot capabilities with Air Canada’s long-term digital strategy.
Solution
Created wireframes illustrating chatbot interaction flows, collaborated with UI designers on a prototype, and explored IBM Watson AI as the conversational AI base.
Impact
Influenced Air Canada’s digital strategy, helped secure internal buy-in for AI-powered solutions, and contributed to the pitch that led to the Air Canada contract.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/tourism-nova-scotia-project
Title
Nova Scotia Dept. of Tourism, Culture & Heritage
Year
2019
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
Led comprehensive discovery and strategic planning sessions to align stakeholder objectives.
Tags
Service Design
Digital Transformation
Visitor Journey Mapping
Stakeholder Facilitation
Cross-Sector Collaboration
Tourism Strategy
Cultural Heritage Optimization
Port Authority Engagement
Economic Development
Agile Methodologies
Nova Scotia
Tools
Mural
Workshop Facilitation
Metrics
Core Team
UX Consultant
Business Analyst
Client Stakeholders
Project Intro
In 2019, I collaborated with Tourism Nova Scotia to design strategies that enhance tourism through the lens of service design, economic development, and cultural heritage. The project aimed to leverage Nova Scotia’s rich assets while addressing infrastructure and visitor experience challenges.
Content
The Nova Scotia Tourism project brought together government, community, and industry leaders to co-create a digital strategy for revitalizing the province’s tourism sector.
I facilitated collaborative workshops that generated innovative ideas and produced a clear, actionable roadmap.
This initiative demonstrates how leveraging design thinking frameworks and agile methodologies can drive digital transformation and economic growth.
Challenge
Nova Scotia needed to better connect its cultural, maritime, and educational assets to enhance tourism experiences. Disconnected infrastructure and inconsistent service delivery across regions were limiting visitor engagement and economic potential.
Solution
Led cross-sector design thinking workshops engaging libraries, museums, port authorities, and tourism organizations.
Synthesized insights from workshops into a unified service blueprint, mapping opportunities across cultural, maritime, and tourism sectors.
Created a prioritized roadmap recommending infrastructure upgrades, service innovations, and cross-sector partnerships to drive sustainable tourism growth.
Impact
Delivered a unified, actionable service blueprint empowering Nova Scotia to enhance visitor journeys across ports, cultural sites, and tourism services.
Strengthened collaboration among libraries, museums, port authorities, and tourism operators.
Enabled a future-ready tourism strategy aligned with community needs, cultural stewardship, and economic development goals.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/nova-scotia-health-workshops
Title
Nova Scotia Health Authority – Vaccination Uptake Workshops
Year
2019
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
Designed and facilitated collaborative workshops that aligned stakeholder missions and produced actionable blueprints.
Tags
Service Design
Public Health Innovation
Vaccination Outreach
Stakeholder Facilitation
IBM Design Thinking
Road-mapping
Community Engagement
Healthcare Strategy
Qualitative Research
Nova Scotia
Tools
IBM Design Thinking
Mural
Service Blueprinting
Metrics
Core Team
Lead Facilitator
Workshop Designer
IBM Strategy Team
Project Intro
In 2019, Nova Scotia Health partnered with IBM iX to design strategic workshops aimed at increasing vaccination rates among underserved communities. I led the initiative by applying human-centered design methodologies to uncover barriers in public health outreach and co-create actionable service blueprints. Through collaborative workshops with government agencies, healthcare providers, and community leaders, we developed a prioritized roadmap to guide future vaccination strategy improvements.
Content
The Nova Scotia Health Vaccination Uptake Workshops addressed critical gaps in vaccination outreach among underserved communities.
I led a series of strategic workshops that brought together government agencies, healthcare professionals, and community representatives to collaboratively identify barriers and co-create solutions.
Applying IBM Design Thinking methodologies, I facilitated multi-stakeholder sessions that mapped service challenges, uncovered intervention points, and prioritized actionable opportunities for system improvement.
The insights generated from these workshops informed the development of detailed service blueprints and a prioritized roadmap designed to increase vaccination accessibility, improve community trust, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration.
Key areas of focus included:
Community-Centered Engagement: Bringing underserved populations and frontline workers into the design process to ground strategies in real needs.
Barrier Identification: Uncovering logistical, informational, and trust-based obstacles limiting vaccination outreach.
Service Blueprinting: Mapping service pathways and intervention points to create clear, actionable improvement strategies.
Strategic Roadmapping: Prioritizing outreach enhancements to align with public health goals and resource realities.
By integrating human-centered design frameworks into public health strategy, the project laid the foundation for more inclusive, scalable vaccination initiatives — ultimately supporting better public health outcomes across Nova Scotia.
Challenge
Increase vaccination rates among vulnerable and underserved populations across Nova Scotia.
Address gaps in access, education, and community engagement that were limiting vaccine outreach efforts.
Align diverse stakeholder groups — including government agencies, healthcare professionals, and community leaders — under a shared mission to strengthen public health outcomes.
Solution
Led multi-stakeholder workshops using IBM Design Thinking methodologies to uncover systemic barriers to vaccination access.
Designed and facilitated collaborative sessions that engaged government, healthcare, and community participants in co-creating service solutions.
Developed detailed service blueprints mapping outreach pathways, intervention points, and opportunities for systemic improvement.
Synthesized stakeholder insights into a prioritized roadmap guiding vaccination program enhancements.
Impact
Delivered an actionable service blueprint and roadmap to support Nova Scotia Health’s vaccination outreach strategy.
Boosted cross-sector collaboration between government health agencies, frontline healthcare providers, and community organizations.
Laid the foundation for increasing vaccine accessibility and improving public health outcomes in underserved regions.
Strengthened community trust and engagement around vaccination initiatives through participatory design approaches.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/a-future-vision-for-the-art-gallery-of-the-ontario-(ago)
Title
Future Vision Discovery and Design for AGO Toronto
Year
2018
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
Developed three phased Experience Journey Maps (Now, Near Future, Far Future)
Facilitated co-creation workshops with leadership, curators, and operational teams
Conceptualized integration of AI, beacon technology, and predictive analytics into the visitor experience
Delivered a structured strategic roadmap guiding short-term and long-term transformation
Tags
Future Vision
Service Design
AI Innovation
Journey Mapping
Predictive Analytics
Beacon Technology
Human-Centered Design
Museum Strategy
Digital Transformation
Stakeholder Facilitation
Experience Roadmap
Tools
Stickies & Sharpies
Miro
Google Forms
Keynotes
Metrics
Core Team
Design Researchers
UX Designers
Strategists
Museum Staff
Project Intro
In 2018, The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) launched a future vision initiative to reimagine the museum experience through human-centered design, strategic service innovation, and emerging technologies. I collaborated with stakeholders to create a bold roadmap for enhancing visitor engagement, personalization, and operational resilience.
Content
The future of AGO’s museum experience required bold, visionary thinking—moving beyond static exhibits toward dynamic, interactive, and personalized engagements.
Through a series of co-creation workshops, we encouraged AGO stakeholders to push boundaries and envision an AI-assisted, data-driven visitor experience.
We structured the vision into three experience maps:
Now / MVP – Immediate improvements using existing technology.
Near Future – Enhancing digital touchpoints with personalization and predictive analytics.
Far Future – AI-powered guides, interactive visitor tracking, and deep personalization based on interests and past visits.
To bridge imagination with reality, we introduced Watson AI as a conceptual tool—representing AI’s ability to revolutionize visitor interactions. Whenever stakeholders struggled with execution details, Watson served as a "magic wand" to push thinking beyond constraints.
The final deliverable provided AGO with an inspiring, structured vision, equipping leadership with a roadmap to future-proof museum experiences while enhancing engagement, personalization, and operational efficiency.
Challenge
Traditional museum models were losing relevance with digital-first audiences.
Visitor journeys were fragmented and lacked personalization.
The AGO needed a bold, future-oriented vision to guide strategic evolution.
Leadership and cross-functional stakeholder alignment was critical for success.
Solution
Led cross-sector design thinking workshops with AGO leadership, curators, and operations teams.
Synthesized insights into a cohesive set of Now, Near Future, and Far Future experience journey maps.
Created a prioritized roadmap linking immediate improvements with long-term innovation goals.
Introduced Watson AI as a conceptual tool to spark boundary-pushing ideas and future-ready thinking.
Impact
Established AGO’s strategic future vision and provided leadership with a structured, inspiring roadmap.
Encouraged bold, imaginative thinking about the role of AI and digital experiences in museums.
Strengthened stakeholder alignment, fostering cross-departmental collaboration toward future goals.
Positioned AGO to remain relevant, dynamic, and deeply engaging for new generations of visitors.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/exxonmobil-speedpass-app-project
Title
ExxonMobil Speedpass+ Payment App
Year
2017
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
Directed ethnographic research and coordinated UX design to elevate the pay-at-the-pump experience.
Tags
Ethnographic Research
Usability Testing
Mobile Payment UX
Interactive Prototyping
Service Design
FinTech
Tools
Ethnography
User Testing
UI Design
Interactive Prototype
Metrics
⛽ Seamless mobile fueling experience
🔒 Secure payment transactions
📈 Increased app adoption rates
🚀 Optimized operational efficiency
Core Team
Sr. UX Consultant, Research Lead, Product Designer
Project Intro
In 2017, ExxonMobil sought to enhance the convenience of fuel payments at the pump through a seamless mobile experience. The Speedpass+ Payment App was designed to allow users to pay for fuel efficiently and securely, reducing friction in the fueling process.
Content
The traditional fueling experience at ExxonMobil gas stations relied heavily on physical card transactions, causing inefficiencies and security concerns. The Speedpass+ app aimed to streamline payments, allowing users to pay with their mobile devices without leaving their vehicles.
I conducted ethnographic research, observing how customers interacted with payment terminals and identifying pain points in transaction speed, clarity, and trust. Through iterative usability testing, we refined the UI, ensuring an intuitive and frictionless experience. My work on user flows, wireframing, and interactive prototyping helped craft an app that balanced security, speed, and ease of use.
The final solution successfully increased mobile payment adoption, offering users a fast, secure, and convenient way to fuel up without unnecessary steps.
Challenge
Addressing UX issues reported by users in app store reviews and customer feedback.
Slow and inconvenient payment experiences at gas stations, requiring users to insert cards and enter PINs manually, leading to usability issues and delays.
User concerns over security and reliability, necessitating improved authentication methods and clearer transaction confirmations.
Fragmented mobile experience, requiring usability testing to refine user flows, streamline transactions, and improve overall ease of use.
Frequent customer-reported issues, highlighting pain points such as transaction failures, unclear payment confirmation, and slow processing speeds.
Lack of real-time feedback loops, requiring a structured approach to respond to app store reviews and reported user experience issues.
Solution
Conducted ethnographic research, analyzing real-world fuel payment behaviors and customer pain points.
Led user testing for the pay-at-the-pump feature, identifying usability friction and refining the experience.
Developed user flows and wireframes, ensuring a logical and efficient transaction process.
Designed and prototyped the UI, creating an interactive experience that provided clarity and ease of use.
Impact
Increased adoption of mobile payments, reducing reliance on physical cards and PIN entry.
Improved transaction speed, minimizing wait times at gas stations.
Enhanced user confidence, integrating security measures and trust-building UI elements.
Streamlined the fueling experience, making Speedpass+ a preferred digital payment method for ExxonMobil customers.
URL
https://www.bernadettesmail.ca/casestudies/bmo-trident
Title
Streamlining Financial Services: The BMO Trident Product Bundle
Year
2016
Employer
IBM iX
Project Contributions
Led user research and usability testing
Conducted iterative prototype development
Optimized user flows for efficiency
Defined customer journey pain points and solutions
Tags
UX Research
Usability Testing
Banking Innovation
FinTech UX
User Flow Optimization
Tools
Axure RP
InVision Sketch
UserTesting.com
Miro
Metrics
90+ Participants: Engaged across all user testing phases.
25+ Usability Tests: Conducted to refine the platform.
40+ Pain Points Resolved: Addressed major usability concerns.
Improved Satisfaction: Positive feedback from users.
Faster Task Completion: Users completed tasks in 7-8 minutes.
Higher Engagement: Increased user confidence and adoption.
Core Team
UX Designers, User Researchers, Product Managers, Developers
Project Intro
In 2016, BMO launched Trident, an innovative platform designed to transform how customers select and bundle financial products, offering a seamless, all-in-one banking experience.
Content
In 2016, BMO launched Trident – an innovative platform that redefined financial product bundling. I spearheaded an agile design process incorporating iterative prototyping and data-driven insights.
Challenge
Traditional banking processes often require customers to go through multiple, repetitive application procedures when selecting financial products, leading to a cumbersome experience, higher error rates, and customer drop-offs. BMO needed a unified platform that would simplify the process, allowing customers to bundle multiple financial products seamlessly within a single checkout experience.
Solution
Through extensive user research—including interviews, surveys, and prototype testing—we identified critical pain points and refined the user experience through 26 iterative prototype versions. Our goal was to create a seamless and intuitive product-bundling platform with clear navigation, reducing redundancies and improving efficiency. Multiple rounds of usability testing ensured that the platform met customer needs and expectations.
Impact
Enhanced User Satisfaction: Customers found the platform intuitive and efficient, resulting in positive feedback.
Improved Usability: The average task completion time was reduced to 7-8 minutes, streamlining the bundling process.
Higher Engagement: Clear instructions and a frictionless interface increased user confidence and engagement.