Lowe's MST App

Redesigned Lowe’s MST app for in-store associates to simplify task management, improve team visibility, and support real-time updates.

Role

Product Designer

Tools

Sketch, Invision, Miro

Duration

4 months

Project Overview

Lowe’s MST associates relied on an outdated Android-based app that made task management frustrating and inefficient. Associates couldn’t see real-time updates, had to refresh manually, and lacked visibility into team progress.

Problem

Navigation was clunky and unclear

  • Tasks didn’t update in real-time

  • Associates had to refresh manually and often missed updates

  • Communication and task visibility were limited

Users

We focused on empowering store associates using Zebra devices across busy store floors, prioritizing visibility and quick navigation.

“I usually just text my team if something changes — the app doesn’t show it fast enough.” — In-store associate, Lowe’s

Key Findings

  • Inconsistent update behavior across task views

  • Low trust in current task status

  • Confusion around task ownership and collaboration

Solution

We redesigned the app around three core pillars:

  • Simplicity: Clear navigation and a restructured task list that matched mental models

  • Real-time collaboration: Live task updates, assignment tracking, and note features

  • In-store focus: Designed for Zebra devices used by associates—keeping thumb reach, contrast, and fast access top of mind

Design Strategy

Before settling on the final UI, I explored:

  • Card-based layouts vs. expandable list views

  • Horizontal nav vs. bottom tab vs. persistent left-side filters

  • Task prioritization logic (urgency, location, team load)

Core experience enhancements:

  • Redesign Task Homepage: Prioritized by urgency and location, with real-time syncing

  • Smart Filters: Tasks now filterable by department, status, and due date

  • Inline Notes + Status: Associates can update progress, leave quick notes, and tag teammates directly

Collaboration & Leadership

  • Offshore engineering teams to align on real-time sync behavior, offline task access, and technical constraints for Zebra devices

  • Product managers and store ops to translate day-to-day workflows into intuitive in-app flows

  • Lowe’s design systems team to ensure component consistency and scalability across internal tools

Task Flows

Scenario 1: User wants to view issues and create a new issue within reset/service task list
Scenario 2: While viewing reset/service issues, the users want to be able to chat about the new issue create and reopen/resolve a previous issue.

Major Screens

Clear Issue Status Tracking
  • Introduced a dashboard view where associates could quickly check issue statuses.

  • Allowed users to filter and sort issues by urgency, date, and status.

Streamlined Management
  • Introduced pre-set issue categories to speed up reporting and maintain consistency.

  • Designed a one-tap issue creation feature within resets and services.

Integrated Real-Time Chat
  • Enabled associates to chat within an issue thread, allowing seamless collaboration.

  • Designed a persistent chat history, so updates weren’t lost between shifts.

Impact & Results

  • 30% faster issue logging

  • 40% reduction in delays

  • 20% boost in productivity

  • Increased task completion & accountability

  • Real-time chat eliminated communication issues

What I'd Improve

This project was still in progress at the time of my departure, with continued iteration planned based on user feedback and rollout insights.

If I had more time, I would have focused on:

  • Introducing a lightweight onboarding experience to reduce ramp-up time for new MST associates

  • Enhancing in-app communication features like chat and alerts, which store teams repeatedly flagged as critical for real-time coordination

  • Implementing an issue list system to better support priority tracking and follow-up between shifts

Weekly design-engineering reviews (with offshore teams) were key in refining features despite occasional pushback — a reminder of how alignment and iteration directly impact product success.

Lowe's MST App

Redesigned Lowe’s MST app for in-store associates to simplify task management, improve team visibility, and support real-time updates.

Role

Product Designer

Tools

Sketch, Invision, Miro

Duration

4 months

Project Overview

Lowe’s MST associates relied on an outdated Android-based app that made task management frustrating and inefficient. Associates couldn’t see real-time updates, had to refresh manually, and lacked visibility into team progress.

Problem

Navigation was clunky and unclear

  • Tasks didn’t update in real-time

  • Associates had to refresh manually and often missed updates

  • Communication and task visibility were limited

Users

We focused on empowering store associates using Zebra devices across busy store floors, prioritizing visibility and quick navigation.

“I usually just text my team if something changes — the app doesn’t show it fast enough.” — In-store associate, Lowe’s

Key Findings

  • Inconsistent update behavior across task views

  • Low trust in current task status

  • Confusion around task ownership and collaboration

Solution

We redesigned the app around three core pillars:

  • Simplicity: Clear navigation and a restructured task list that matched mental models

  • Real-time collaboration: Live task updates, assignment tracking, and note features

  • In-store focus: Designed for Zebra devices used by associates—keeping thumb reach, contrast, and fast access top of mind

Design Strategy

Before settling on the final UI, I explored:

  • Card-based layouts vs. expandable list views

  • Horizontal nav vs. bottom tab vs. persistent left-side filters

  • Task prioritization logic (urgency, location, team load)

Core experience enhancements:

  • Redesign Task Homepage: Prioritized by urgency and location, with real-time syncing

  • Smart Filters: Tasks now filterable by department, status, and due date

  • Inline Notes + Status: Associates can update progress, leave quick notes, and tag teammates directly

Collaboration & Leadership

  • Offshore engineering teams to align on real-time sync behavior, offline task access, and technical constraints for Zebra devices

  • Product managers and store ops to translate day-to-day workflows into intuitive in-app flows

  • Lowe’s design systems team to ensure component consistency and scalability across internal tools

Task Flows

Scenario 1: User wants to view issues and create a new issue within reset/service task list
Scenario 2: While viewing reset/service issues, the users want to be able to chat about the new issue create and reopen/resolve a previous issue.

Major Screens

Clear Issue Status Tracking
  • Introduced a dashboard view where associates could quickly check issue statuses.

  • Allowed users to filter and sort issues by urgency, date, and status.

Streamlined Management
  • Introduced pre-set issue categories to speed up reporting and maintain consistency.

  • Designed a one-tap issue creation feature within resets and services.

Integrated Real-Time Chat
  • Enabled associates to chat within an issue thread, allowing seamless collaboration.

  • Designed a persistent chat history, so updates weren’t lost between shifts.

Impact & Results

  • 30% faster issue logging

  • 40% reduction in delays

  • 20% boost in productivity

  • Increased task completion & accountability

  • Real-time chat eliminated communication issues

What I'd Improve

This project was still in progress at the time of my departure, with continued iteration planned based on user feedback and rollout insights.

If I had more time, I would have focused on:

  • Introducing a lightweight onboarding experience to reduce ramp-up time for new MST associates

  • Enhancing in-app communication features like chat and alerts, which store teams repeatedly flagged as critical for real-time coordination

  • Implementing an issue list system to better support priority tracking and follow-up between shifts

Weekly design-engineering reviews (with offshore teams) were key in refining features despite occasional pushback — a reminder of how alignment and iteration directly impact product success.

Lowe's MST App

Content

Role

Product Designer

Tools

Sketch, Invision, Miro

Duration

4 months

© 2025 Sophia Bracey

Built with Good Vibes

© 2025 Sophia Bracey

Built with Good Vibes

© 2025 Sophia Bracey

Built with Good Vibes