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JLL Tech.

Designing and building a portfolio optimisation suite using strategic decision making for commercial real estate

Context.

SaaS solution that empowers real estate professionals to make data-driven decisions by providing insights into market trends and portfolio performance. It features interactive dashboards with customizable filters and predictive analytics, enabling users to quickly identify opportunities and optimize investments.

Designed with performance and usability in mind, the tool simplifies complex data, improving decision-making efficiency.

Agency

HumanX

Team

Linda Tsai , Principal Product Designer

Anirudh S , Product Leader

Serg S , Product Manager

Shrikant S, Technical Architect

Objective.

JLL's primary objective with this tool was to empower Real Estate professionals to make faster, more informed, and data-driven decisions by streamlining access to complex market data and portfolio insights. The tool aims to provide a seamless user experience through intuitive dashboards, customizable filters, and predictive analytics that highlight opportunities and risks. By simplifying workflows and delivering actionable intelligence in real-time, the tool supports portfolio optimization, strategic planning, and investment growth while improving decision-making efficiency across teams.

PORTFOLIO ROI

Annual returns increased , delivering an additional 2% ROI

ADOPTION RATE

+20%

Increased adoption rates among
JLL’s internal teams

DECISION MAKING

+40%

Enhanced decision-making efficiency as per user surveys

Challenges.

We faced several challenges during the strategy as well as execution of this project, primarily in managing the complexity of integrating large, varied data sources into a cohesive and user-friendly interface. Ensuring the tool’s usability across diverse global teams with differing needs required balancing customization with simplicity.

1. Data Complexity
& Integration

Integrating vast amounts of complex real estate data into a user-friendly interface, while maintaining accuracy and clarity

3. User Adoption & Training

Overcoming resistance to new tools and ensuring users were quickly trained to leverage the tool’s full capabilities for decision-making.

2. Balancing Advanced Analytics
with Simplicity

Designing intuitive dashboards that presented advanced analytics without overwhelming users, ensuring ease of use while maintaining data depth.

4. Scalability for Global Teams

Ensuring the tool could scale and adapt across various regions and teams, each with unique data sets and decision-making needs.

My Role.

As the Senior Product Designer, I worked on concept to high fidelity interfaces, collaborating closely with product managers, technical architects, and other stakeholders to align on goals and deliverables. I conducted user interviews and walkthrough research to gather insights and ensure the tool addressed real-world challenges.
My role involved translating complex requirements into intuitive, user-centred designs that balanced functionality with usability. I also worked on iterating the design based on feedback, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems. Throughout the project, I maintained a focus on delivering a solution that optimized both user experience and operational efficiency

Before we craft a Solution...

Product Strategy

"Our focus was always on creating a tool that solves real problems for our users. By starting small, learning fast, and iterating based on feedback, we aimed to deliver a solution that not only meets immediate needs but also sets the foundation for scalable growth."

1. Start with High-Impact Value

Begin by narrowing the project scope to focus on features that deliver the most immediate and significant value to users. Prioritize functionality that addresses critical tasks users cannot easily manage with existing offline tools, ensuring the solution meets the core "job to be done."

3. Build a little. learn a little

Deliver small, focused releases to gather user feedback, refine the product, and prepare for future iterations. This approach ensures the product evolves based on real-world insights.

2. MVP Over Scalability

Emphasize enabling core functionalities rather than designing for scalability. Validate the solution by addressing key user pain points before expanding its scope.

We followed this strategy to focus on value-driven development, quick learning cycles, and user-centric refinement to create impactful, scalable solutions over time.

Design Principles.

Intuitive.

Efficient.

Reliable.

To ensure a simple and clear UI that minimises clicks, reduces complexity, and requires little to no training, allowing users to start quickly without confusion.

Streamlining decision-making by automating tedious tasks, enabling users to manage, analyse, and build portfolio plans within the tool. Features like data migration, pre-populated fields, and automated analysis ensure time savings and data credibility.

To build trust through accurate data handling, smooth migration of existing plans, and consistent functionality to meet user expectations and support long-term adoption.

Cohesive.

Flexible.

Create a unified experience by seamlessly integrating discovery, planning, management, and reporting into a single, connected ecosystem

Accommodate iterative workflows with the ability to update and run multiple scenarios dynamically. While flexibility is key, standardized workflows are essential to control chaos and maintain consistency.

The Solution.

Ensure efficient, compliant operations

A proactive approach to ensuring operational efficiency and regulatory compliance throughout the CRE portfolio.

Automated lease administration and accounting to stay on top of key deadlines and milestones
Tracking regulatory compliance at the local, federal, and global levels to avoid conflicts with governing agencies or auditors
Leverageing advanced forecasting models to manage risk across multiyear strategies

Efficiently manage spaces to maximize workplace and employee engagement and productivity.

Real-time utilization monitoring
Occupancy metrics
Portfolio-wide trend analysis

Data & Intelligence for Operational Excellance

Complex real estate data into actionable insights, enabling rapid deployment of data-driven solutions that enhance operational efficiency and adapt to your unique business needs.

Unified data suite with pre-configured integrations for cross-functional analysis
Comprehensive insights spanning facility, portfolio management, and project management
Adaptive AI-powered that improves accuracy and relevance over time

Key Learnings.

1. Familiarity minimises risk

Professional users often prefer sticking with familiar tools, even if they are inefficient, because they reduce perceived risk and learning curves. Introducing new tools requires showcasing clear, immediate benefits while maintaining elements of familiarity to encourage adoption and build trust.

2. Building credibility through data

Professional users depend heavily on accurate data. I learned the importance of designing interfaces that not only present data clearly but also establish trust by ensuring data integrity and reliability at every step.

3. Be ready to replan

One of the biggest learnings was the ability to quickly act and replan in case we face a wall. I lost count of how many times our team had to brainstorm to get out of a rabbit hole and move forward.

4. Gap & Gain between Strategy and Execution

I developed a stronger appreciation for how design shapes strategic goals into tangible outcomes. From crafting intuitive workflows to ensuring a cohesive user journey, I became adept at translating high-level ideas into actionable designs.