OSAM DASHBOARD

Optum Scalable Agile Method Tracking Dashboard

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Optum leadership found it necessary to establish a centralized platform offering enterprise-wide visibility that would enable them to oversee and evaluate the progress and successful adoption of the Agile Process.

MY ROLE

To establish a one-stop, cohesive hub that would allow leadership to access specific data points in the form of charts and graphs displaying the growth of Optum’s agility not just within their own portfolios, projects, and teams but across the entire company. The goals of the initiative were to enhance transparency into adoption success, identify areas for improvement, streamline decision-making, and foster successful agility across the organization.

CHALLENGES

With a multitude of portfolios and projects operating across various teams, it was extremely difficult to get a realistic view of the overall companies adoption of the Agile process. Not only did this hinder the ability of leadership to make informed decisions but there was no mechanism for tracking performance or ensuring consistency of alignment with Agile methodologies.

MY PROCESS

Creating the OSAM (Optum Scalable Agile Method) Dashboard required a strategic and systems-level UX approach. Our goal was to give leadership a clear, real-time picture of Agile adoption across the enterprise—delivered through thoughtful research, cross-team collaboration, and data-driven design.

1. Understand the Problem

UX Methods Used:

  • Stakeholder Interviews

  • UX Discovery Workshops

  • Heuristic Evaluation

  • Competitive Benchmarking

We engaged with senior executives, Agile coaches, and program managers to understand reporting gaps and unmet needs. Discovery sessions revealed a lack of centralized insight, inconsistent Agile metrics across portfolios, and a heavy reliance on manual data collection.

2. Define & Align

UX Methods Used:

  • Persona Definition

  • Task Flows

  • UX Audit of Existing System

We identified core user types (e.g., Portfolio Manager, Agile Lead, Executive Sponsor) and defined their goals within the system. Through user task flows and a UX audit of scattered reporting tools (e.g., JIRA dashboards, Trello boards), we aligned on the must-have metrics and visualizations that would drive action.

3. Ideate & Explore

UX Methods Used:

  • Whiteboarding Sessions

  • Low-Fidelity Sketches

  • Data Visualization Exploration

  • System Mapping

Our team co-created dashboard layout options, explored different data display methods (stacked bars, timelines, bubble charts), and mapped how disparate tools (Tableau, Git, JIRA) could be unified. Special focus was placed on surfacing KPIs that tracked Agile maturity without overwhelming users.

4. Prototype for Customization & Clarity

UX Methods Used:

  • Wireframing

  • High-Fidelity Prototyping

  • UI Pattern Library

  • Data Hierarchy Planning

We built an interactive prototype that allowed stakeholders to test different levels of data granularity, from team-level velocity to enterprise-wide maturity scores. The design emphasized clean layout, modular card components, and color-coded indicators to support clarity and quick scanning.

5. Test & Iterate

UX Methods Used:

  • Remote Usability Testing

  • Interactive Click-Through Demos

  • Feedback Prioritization

Through live demos and recorded walkthroughs, we tested early versions with Agile leaders and tech executives. Feedback led to refinements in chart labeling, filtering logic, and permission-based views—ensuring each role saw exactly what they needed without cognitive overload.

6. Measure Impact

UX Methods Used:

  • Post-Launch Feedback Surveys

  • Agile Maturity Tracking

  • Usage Analytics

Leadership now had a single source of truth to assess Agile adoption across the enterprise. The dashboard led to smarter resource allocation, faster decision-making, and higher transparency between teams. Usage analytics showed strong adoption within the first 60 days, and Agile maturity scores began trending upward quarter over quarter.

SOLUTIONS

1. STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION
Engaged stakeholders from all levels gathering requirements ensuring the dashboard addressed the specific needs of senior executives.

2. TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION
Integrated Tableau for data, included project management tools such as JIRA and Trello,
Git for version control, and team collaboration platforms.

3. CUSTOMIZATION
Designed a user-friendly interface allowing users to customize dashboard views based on their unique preferences and priorities.

4. REAL-TIME UPDATES
Ensured that the information presented remained current and reflective of the organization's current Agile landscape.

OUTCOMES

1. ENHANCED VISIBILITY
Leadership gained a consolidated real-time view of Agile adoption across portfolios, projects, and teams.

2. INFORMED DECISION MAKING
Access to comprehensive charts and graphs enabled executives to make data-driven decisions, identify areas of improvement, and conduct effective allocation of resources.

3. COHESIVE COLLABORATION
Centralized hub facilitated collaboration among teams by fostering transparency and shared understanding of Agile principles and practices.

4. IMPROVED AGILE MATURITY
Leadership was able to show marked improvement in overall Agile maturity, as evidenced by measurable progress displayed on the Agile Dashboard.