Step 1: Won the contract
The RFP was simple. Too simple.
The information we received in order to design a software solution to Boeing's need was minimal. We were given a very basic information architecture and a list of functions. We had no access to users, only a few high-level stakeholders, and I suspected that there was more to the IA than met the eye.
I designed IA from the ground up
With the information I had available to me, I created a basic layout for the R&D project page, as projects were the fundamental unit of information, and the most data dense objects. The focus at this stage was communicating all the required information clearly and demonstrating domain expertise. As such our "user" was not actually the end user, and this presented a long-term challenge to the product design.
Developed the UI around the IA
I then expanded the designs into a basic folder-style navigation system that essentially served as a decision tree to get to the desired projects. It had to be something we could build quickly, something that the client could get their hands on and play around with, which would further increase the likelihood of getting the contract.
Created an "almost fun" navigation system
To solve the issue of showing three types of information - the basic facts about each data object, a timeline of milestones associated with that object, and a chart of data for that object - I created a concept which I called "filter-zoom-mode". This enabled the user to navigate through the data (the zooming and filtering) and independently switch between presentation formats (the mode). Once again, it was simple, easy to demonstrate, and relatively "fun" for such a dry application. All things necessary for pleasing the stakeholder and getting the contract.
Created final wireframes before development
The client strongly liked the initial wireframes, so we committed to this design, and I laid out the entire navigation scheme.
Delivered the prototype and won the contract
I hired a visual designer to help improve the presentation for the final deliverable, and our developers built a working prototype that was connected to dummy data. This design was effective enough to not only satisfy the direct client, but the notoriously hard-to-please finance department who held the ultimate fate of the project in their hands.