The ask

The client was expanding into more states and looking to re-platform. There is a lot of state specific data and regulations that needs to be authored by the small client team ad-hoc.

The insight

Healthcare insurance is regularly updated and requires constant tweaks, taking up a lot of time for client team.

6 month

Mission

Create a set of custom responsive, reusable components to make it easy for the client to build out new state pages. Working within limitations of AEM.

ICF was pushing AEM re-platforming and customization to clients as a full service product. We would migrate existing site data into AEM, and offer a set number of custom built components and branding service as part of scope. This would allow clients to manage their site on their own, while maintaining the relationship for future ad-hoc customizations.

discover

I looked at the URL tree and analyzed page types, marking recurring elements and where they lead. Created a component list and compared it to available out of box components in AEM.

This list informed the SOW and our pricing.

define

Validated proposed component list with devs, in order make an accurate timeline for migration. Client had a go live date that was mandated by legislation.

Set up a plan of introducing clients to the use of a design system.

Presented 3 distinct page templates to get them familiar with authoring language.

design

Some components lend themselves as the go-to option. Clients like pictures and buttons. We gotta be careful about overloading one component with too many use cases.

Working within (many) limitations of AEM interface, we had to get creative about component menu organization for easy re-use.

what actually happened

Process and takeaways

AEM markets themselves as an out-of-box, ready for use site builder. The reality is that it has many limitations to it's interface that stand in the way of a proper build.

Working closely with strategy and development, we had to compromise a lot without sacrificing the fidelity. The stakes were high during this project as it was meant to pave the way to this service being the main selling point of work with ICF.

challenges

The way component variant menus are defined in the system makes it hard to create custom variations for brand assets.

ICF is a large organization and it's production department was separate from digital. Ultimately, I got assigned a Jr. Graphic designer to work under me. Her work mostly touched banners, so I had to coach her on designing for digital products. It took some time, but luckily she was very intuitive.

Migrating a massive unorganized list of existing blog posts, legal documents, insurance plan breakdowns from Wordpress was a challenge. Because those items would come in various formats, I had to think of ways to best design their final destination on the new site.

In conclusion

I loved being part of a project that allowed all disciplines to inform the final scope and delivery. Playing a big part in editing the SOW has given me a better understanding of planning and budgets.

It was also the first time I worked on building out a reusable template and educating clients on how to use it for handoff.

Health insurance