Project Description

From May 2021 to December 2023, I led the international UX team responsible for launching the Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery System (OP5) in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. This launch marked a significant milestone, as the system integrated with the Dexcom G6 and Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensors, providing flexible sensor options for users with type 1 diabetes.

Impact

This launch marked a significant milestone for Insulet Corporation, as OP5 integrated with the Dexcom G6 and Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus CGM sensors, providing users with more flexible sensor options. By adapting OP5 for European markets, we empowered a new group of users with type 1 diabetes to manage their condition with ease, improving accessibility and supporting Insulet’s mission of simplifying life for people with diabetes

Efficiency Gains: Reduced delivery time by 30%, shortening resolution from two sprints to one.
High Approval Rate: Achieved an 80% initial approval rate in technical reviews, minimizing the need for redesigns.
Successful Localization: Delivered a culturally relevant and user-centered product for European markets.

Methodologies

Design Thinking, Agile Methodologies, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Sketch, Figma, Miro, Project Management, Ideation and Prioritization, System Mapping, User Flows, Style Guides, and Atomic Design.

Deliverables

Localized UI workflows, Hi-Fidelity Wireframes, UX Localization Guidelines, Redlines, and User Flows.

Context

Company Overview

Insulet Corporation, founded in 2000, is a leader in innovative diabetes management solutions. The company’s flagship product, the Omnipod System, is a tubeless insulin management solution that provides an alternative to traditional insulin pumps.

The Omnipod 5 system comprises:

The Pod: A disposable insulin device is worn on the skin.
The Controller: A handheld device to manage insulin delivery and track glucose levels.
• The Sensor: Integrated with Dexcom G6 or Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus CGM, providing real-time glucose monitoring.

The Omnipod 5 System

My Role

As the UX Lead for the International Team, I was responsible for ensuring that the Omnipod 5 app was effectively localized for European markets and met the diverse needs of users in the UK and the Netherlands. My role encompassed:

Adapting to Different Languages and Cultures

Challenge: The English-centric interface needed to be modified to support languages with longer text, such as German and French, without compromising usability on mobile platforms.

Solution: I conducted a comprehensive review of interface components and created flexible guidelines for text containers and character limits. Working closely with linguists, I optimized translations and adjusted typography and spacing. This resulted in a responsive design system that seamlessly adapts to each language, enhancing usability and ensuring a consistent user experience.

Optimized Cross-Functional Collaboration to Drive Efficiency

Challenge: Limited communication between UX, development, and other departments caused misalignment, which delayed issue resolution and reduced the overall design quality.

Solution: I introduced weekly UX checkups and feasibility meetings to facilitate knowledge sharing and proactive collaboration across teams. These sessions aligned all stakeholders on technical requirements, reducing the need for multiple revisions and improving both project timelines and team cohesion. This approach enhanced efficiency and fostered a stronger sense of shared ownership.

Bottlenecks in the Technical Review Process

Challenge: Multi-departmental review sessions often led to repeated rounds of feedback, resulting in significant delays in design approval and implementation timelines.

Solution: To streamline the process, I implemented a pre-review approach where I gathered individual feedback from key departments, including medical and development, before the formal review session. Documenting all feedback in Miro, Figma, and Jira ensured alignment across teams, reduced the need for multiple revisions, and improved the initial approval rate to 80%.

Lessons Learned / Takeaways

Proactive Cross-Department Collaboration: Engaging each department early in the design process prevents bottlenecks and aligns all stakeholders on project goals, significantly speeding up approvals.
Localization Requires Flexibility: Localizing for multiple languages requires adaptable design practices and a responsive approach to real estate management. Setting clear guidelines for translation and text length is essential to maintain usability.
3. Streamlined Documentation Enhances Transparency: Maintaining centralized feedback records in tools like Jira and Miro provided transparency and allowed teams to access critical information at any time, reducing redundancy and supporting smoother collaboration.