Software Overview

The A-SCEND compliance management solution merges intuitive software with extensive experience in multi-framework audits and compliance. This SaaS application guides you seamlessly through the entire audit lifecycle, from preparation to final reporting. Crafted by our team of experts and influenced by client feedback, A-SCEND offers the following benefits:

• Simplifies the audit process by centralizing evidence collection

• Ensures consistency in compliance requests across various security frameworks

• Consolidates audits to reduce costs and enhance efficiency

Bridging the Gaps

Migrating and modernizing legacy features from A-SCEND 1.0 into A-SCEND 2.0

Researching and proposing new functionalities to be seamlessly integrated into the platform.

Exploring automation opportunities to streamline and improve evidence collection processes

One of the key challenges facing the A-SCEND software was its limited in-app toolset. Auditors often had to rely on external platforms or outdated programs to complete essential tasks, leading to inefficiencies and fragmented workflows.

My role focused on addressing these shortcomings by:

Tailoring the experience for A-lign Clients & Audit Consultants

My Design Process

Additional Details

Scope Definition

I begin by meeting with stakeholders to define the problem space, user goals, and product requirements. This ensures clarity on what we’re solving and why it matters.

Business Research

Understanding the product's market positioning and business goals allows me to design with both user and company success in mind.

Research & Comp Analysis

I analyze user behavior, audit existing tools, and evaluate competitors to uncover usability gaps and identify opportunities for differentiation.

User Flows & Task Flows

By mapping user and task flows, I visualize key journeys and interactions, ensuring we reduce friction and streamline user paths.

Information Architecture

I organize content and features into logical hierarchies, validating them through methods like card sorting and tree testing to support intuitive navigation.

Wireframing

Low-fidelity wireframes help me explore layouts and interaction patterns quickly. This phase encourages early feedback and rapid iteration.

UI Design & Prototyping

I translate wireframes into high-fidelity designs and interactive prototypes, focusing on clarity, consistency, and accessibility.

Usability Testing

I test prototypes with users to validate assumptions, uncover pain points, and gather actionable insights for refinement.

Style Guide & Documentation

I create detailed design systems and documentation to support consistency across teams and streamline handoff to development.

Demo Videos

I produce walkthrough videos that highlight key flows and features. These were ideal for stakeholder reviews, and user onboarding.

Iteration & Design Updates

Design is never done. I continuously collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine, adapt, and enhance the product based on new data or evolving requirements.

Mind Map

A-SCEND Software

To kick off the design process, I created a comprehensive mind map to visualize the core functionality, user needs, and system components of the A-SCEND platform.

From Chaos to Clarity:

User Flows & Task Flows

To accommodate the different roles within the A-SCEND platform, I mapped out detailed user and task flows focused on critical actions like evidence collection, project setup, and progress tracking.

Designing Smarter Paths and Structure in A-SCEND

Information Architecture

Using insights from the flows, I redesigned the information architecture to better reflect how users think and work. I grouped related functions into logical sections and restructured the navigation to make it more intuitive, scalable, and role-aware. This reduced user confusion and supported more efficient workflows across teams.

Wireframes

Once the user flows and architecture were solidified, I moved into wireframing to quickly visualize and validate layout ideas for key screens within A-SCEND. These low- to mid-fidelity wireframes focused on structure, hierarchy, and interaction

UI Design

With wireframes validated, I transitioned into high-fidelity UI design, focusing on creating a clean, modern interface that aligned with A-LIGN’s brand while improving clarity and usability across the platform. I designed consistent visual patterns, reusable components, and intuitive layouts that reduced friction for both compliance managers and consultants.

Outcomes & Impact

The redesigned experience contributed to faster onboarding for new users, improved navigation clarity, and a more efficient audit workflow. Stakeholders noted increased confidence in the platform’s ease of use, while teams reported spending less time toggling between systems or repeating tasks. The design updates laid the groundwork for more scalable, user-friendly releases moving forward.