Designing for Impact: Streamlining Operations with the PULSE Mobile App

Overview.

Context

PULSE is a mobile-first solution designed for Walmart’s distribution center (DC) associates and managers. It’s part of the “Plan – Execute – Analyze” suite, offering real-time visibility into warehouse operations. From tracking associate performance and shift scheduling to managing truck arrivals and overtime, PULSE empowers efficient and informed decision-making.

Problem

Walmart Distribution Centers rely on a legacy application built on outdated technology, leading to inefficient workflows and operational bottlenecks. Associates manually enter timesheet data, which increases the risk of human errors and results in inaccurate tracking of job codes and hours worked. These inaccuracies often cause delays in calculating overtime and distributing performance-based incentives. Managers lack real-time visibility into workforce activities, making it difficult to take timely corrective actions or optimize resource allocation. There is a critical need for a modern, mobile-enabled solution that minimizes manual input, ensures data accuracy, and provides real-time insights to improve operational efficiency and associate satisfaction.

Objective

To design a modern, mobile-enabled application that replaces the legacy system used in Walmart Distribution Centers, enabling real-time tracking of associate performance, job code transitions, and shift data. The goal is to reduce manual entry, eliminate errors, streamline incentive processing, and provide managers with actionable insights to improve operational efficiency and workforce satisfaction.

Empathise.

Contextual Inquiry

Observed associates and floor managers in DCs to understand workflows, bottlenecks, and dependencies.

User Interview

Conducted 10+ interviews with DC managers, shift leads, and associates to gather pain points and goals.

Key Insights

• Associates lacked clarity on job codes and overtime eligibility.
• Managers were using multiple disjointed tools to track performance.
• There was a strong need for real-time corrective actions and shift flexibility.

Personas

Based on research, we created 3 core personas

Define.

Walmart DC managers and associates need a real-time, mobile-accessible solution to track performance, manage shifts, and optimize warehouse operations without the friction of siloed tools and delayed feedback.

User Needs

• Real-time associate performance metrics.
• Easy job code switching with time tracking.
• Clear overtime tracking for incentives.
• Truck arrival coordination.
• Shift and timesheet management.

IDEATE.

Brainstorm and structure possible solutions.

Solution Brainstorming

• Modular dashboard UI for instant visibility.
• wipe-based job code change for quick updates.
• Shift and overtime tracker.
• Integration with truck scheduling systems.

Wireframing

• Low-fidelity sketches were created collaboratively with DC managers.
• Mid-fidelity prototypes tested job code switching and overtime visuals.
• Prioritized minimal taps for frequent actions.

Final Solution.

A clean, intuitive dashboard tool tailored for call center leadership.