Business Resource Management
Business Resource Management
Business Resource Management
Business Resource Management
Business Resource Management
A platform that not only makes business owners aware of their operations but also helps them grow, sustain their business, and gain the guidance they need for a successful future.
A platform that not only makes business owners aware of their operations but also helps them grow, sustain their business, and gain the guidance they need for a successful future.
A platform that not only makes business owners aware of their operations but also helps them grow, sustain their business, and gain the guidance they need for a successful future.
Project Content
Project Content
Project Content
Project Content
Project Content
Summer 2025- 4 months
Summer 2025- 4 months
Summer 2025- 4 months
Thesis - (UE) MA
Thesis - (UE) MA
Thesis - (UE) MA
Team - Ashish, (Thomas, Peter- Mentor)
Team - Ashish, (Thomas, Peter- Mentor)
Team - Ashish, (Thomas, Peter- Mentor)
My Role
My Role
My Role
My Role
My Role
Research on Concept
Research on Concept
Research on Concept
Concept Solution
Concept Solution
Concept Solution
Design & Prototype
Design & Prototype
Design & Prototype
Project Deliverable
Project Deliverable
Project Deliverable
Project Deliverable
Project Deliverable
Research Findings
Research Findings
Research Findings
Concept Development
Concept Development
Concept Development
High Fidelity Interface
High Fidelity Interface
High Fidelity Interface
Thesis
Goal
Concept Challenge
The main challenge I was given before starting this thesis was to merge my bachelor’s knowledge in Business Management with the design expertise gained during my bachelor diploma & master’s, and translate that into a solution that could evolve into a real product with meaningful impact. Building on this challenge, the goal of the thesis was to develop a concept that helps business owners sustain their ventures in the long run. By exploring the core reasons why many startups fail within their first year, I aimed to design a product that is both practical and human-centered.
The main challenge I was given before starting this thesis was to merge my bachelor’s knowledge in Business Management with the design expertise gained during my bachelor diploma & master’s, and translate that into a solution that could evolve into a real product with meaningful impact. Building on this challenge, the goal of the thesis was to develop a concept that helps business owners sustain their ventures in the long run. By exploring the core reasons why many startups fail within their first year, I aimed to design a product that is both practical and human-centered.
The main challenge I was given before starting this thesis was to merge my bachelor’s knowledge in Business Management with the design expertise gained during my bachelor diploma & master’s, and translate that into a solution that could evolve into a real product with meaningful impact. Building on this challenge, the goal of the thesis was to develop a concept that helps business owners sustain their ventures in the long run. By exploring the core reasons why many startups fail within their first year, I aimed to design a product that is both practical and human-centered.
Problem
Statement
Problem
Statement
Problem
Statement
Problem
Statement
Problem Statement
Startups and SMEs struggle with fragmented operations, poor financial oversight, and workforce mismanagement. Founders juggle multiple roles without integrated systems, leading to reactive decision-making, siloed data, and missed opportunities—factors that significantly increase business failure rates.
Startups and SMEs struggle with fragmented operations, poor financial oversight, and workforce mismanagement. Founders juggle multiple roles without integrated systems, leading to reactive decision-making, siloed data, and missed opportunities—factors that significantly increase business failure rates.
Startups and SMEs struggle with fragmented operations, poor financial oversight, and workforce mismanagement. Founders juggle multiple roles without integrated systems, leading to reactive decision-making, siloed data, and missed opportunities—factors that significantly increase business failure rates.
Design Process
Design Process
Design Process
Design Process
Design Process
My first step was to explore the current landscape of business management and productivity tools to identify strengths and gaps. I analyzed platforms focused on task management, financial planning, and team collaboration to understand their features, usability, and limitations.
I also conducted informal interviews with business owners and managers to learn how they currently manage tasks, finances, and teams. Many shared they struggle with accountability, making informed decisions, and engaging employees effectively.
“I often lose track of tasks and priorities, which affects our project outcomes.” – Business Owner, 32
“We have data, but it’s hard to use it to forecast or make strategic decisions.” – Manager, 29
My first step was to explore the current landscape of business management and productivity tools to identify strengths and gaps. I analyzed platforms focused on task management, financial planning, and team collaboration to understand their features, usability, and limitations.
I also conducted informal interviews with business owners and managers to learn how they currently manage tasks, finances, and teams. Many shared they struggle with accountability, making informed decisions, and engaging employees effectively.
“I often lose track of tasks and priorities, which affects our project outcomes.” – Business Owner, 32
“We have data, but it’s hard to use it to forecast or make strategic decisions.” – Manager, 29
My first step was to explore the current landscape of business management and productivity tools to identify strengths and gaps. I analyzed platforms focused on task management, financial planning, and team collaboration to understand their features, usability, and limitations.
I also conducted informal interviews with business owners and managers to learn how they currently manage tasks, finances, and teams. Many shared they struggle with accountability, making informed decisions, and engaging employees effectively.
“I often lose track of tasks and priorities, which affects our project outcomes.” – Business Owner, 32
“We have data, but it’s hard to use it to forecast or make strategic decisions.” – Manager, 29
42
42
42
Screens
Screens
Screens
18
18
18
Interview
Interview
Interview
20
20
20
Usability Study
Usability Study
Usability Study
Research Insight
Research Insight
Research Insight
Research Insight
Research Insight
Through qualitative and quantitative research, it became clear that poor management is a major factor in business failures. This doesn’t just affect the individual business owner—SMEs contribute around 80–90% of a country’s economic growth. Their failure impacts the broader economy and leads to increased unemployment, as these businesses employ a significant portion of the workforce. What might seem like isolated cases actually have far-reaching consequences, showing that effective support and tools for SMEs can create a significant national impact.
Through qualitative and quantitative research, it became clear that poor management is a major factor in business failures. This doesn’t just affect the individual business owner—SMEs contribute around 80–90% of a country’s economic growth. Their failure impacts the broader economy and leads to increased unemployment, as these businesses employ a significant portion of the workforce. What might seem like isolated cases actually have far-reaching consequences, showing that effective support and tools for SMEs can create a significant national impact.
Through qualitative and quantitative research, it became clear that poor management is a major factor in business failures. This doesn’t just affect the individual business owner—SMEs contribute around 80–90% of a country’s economic growth. Their failure impacts the broader economy and leads to increased unemployment, as these businesses employ a significant portion of the workforce. What might seem like isolated cases actually have far-reaching consequences, showing that effective support and tools for SMEs can create a significant national impact.
Solution
Solution
Solution
Solution
Solution
To address SME challenges, I developed BRM, an integrated platform designed to empower business owners. It provides clear visibility into financial health, streamlines inventory and asset management, strengthens client and vendor relationships, and improves employee engagement. Additionally, BRM offers forecasting tools to guide strategic decisions and support sustainable business growth.
To address SME challenges, I developed BRM, an integrated platform designed to empower business owners. It provides clear visibility into financial health, streamlines inventory and asset management, strengthens client and vendor relationships, and improves employee engagement. Additionally, BRM offers forecasting tools to guide strategic decisions and support sustainable business growth.
To address SME challenges, I developed BRM, an integrated platform designed to empower business owners. It provides clear visibility into financial health, streamlines inventory and asset management, strengthens client and vendor relationships, and improves employee engagement. Additionally, BRM offers forecasting tools to guide strategic decisions and support sustainable business growth.
User Flow and Icons
This is the main user flow for BRM and the all the icons used throughout the product.
This is the main user flow for BRM and the all the icons used throughout the product.
This is the main user flow for BRM and the all the icons used throughout the product.
Typography & Colour
Typography & Colour
Typography & Colour
I chose a minimalist style and color palette to achieve a cleaner design aesthetic.
I chose a minimalist style and color palette to achieve a cleaner design aesthetic.
I chose a minimalist style and color palette to achieve a cleaner design aesthetic.
Aa
INTER
8A92FB
C4C8FC
F4F5FF
7F7F7F
Usability Study
Usability Study
Usability Study
Usability Study
Usability Study
I conducted 20 usability studies in total, but two key studies are highlighted here. The first focused on dashboard navigation, observing how business owners interact with the navigation bar and access core features. The second showcased resource pages, examining how users move between pages and find information efficiently. Insights from these studies guided design refinements, improved usability, and ensured BRM effectively meets the real needs of SMEs.
I conducted 20 usability studies in total, but two key studies are highlighted here. The first focused on dashboard navigation, observing how business owners interact with the navigation bar and access core features. The second showcased resource pages, examining how users move between pages and find information efficiently. Insights from these studies guided design refinements, improved usability, and ensured BRM effectively meets the real needs of SMEs.
I conducted 20 usability studies in total, but two key studies are highlighted here. The first focused on dashboard navigation, observing how business owners interact with the navigation bar and access core features. The second showcased resource pages, examining how users move between pages and find information efficiently. Insights from these studies guided design refinements, improved usability, and ensured BRM effectively meets the real needs of SMEs.
Before
Before
Before
After
After
After
The first image shows the original navigation bar; the second shows a new layout. Usability feedback suggested using white space for additional information, which improved content visibility and dashboard usability.
The first image shows the original navigation bar; the second shows a new layout. Usability feedback suggested using white space for additional information, which improved content visibility and dashboard usability.
The first image shows the original navigation bar; the second shows a new layout. Usability feedback suggested using white space for additional information, which improved content visibility and dashboard usability.
Before
Before
Before
After
After
After
During usability testing, I realized users had to return to the main resource page to access other pages, causing frustration. I redesigned the flow to allow seamless navigation between resources.
During usability testing, I realized users had to return to the main resource page to access other pages, causing frustration. I redesigned the flow to allow seamless navigation between resources.
During usability testing, I realized users had to return to the main resource page to access other pages, causing frustration. I redesigned the flow to allow seamless navigation between resources.
Screens
Screens
Screens
Screens
Screens
Prototype
Prototype
Shown below are selected screens from BRM. Out of 42 screens developed, only a few are included due to university guidelines, highlighting key features and the platform’s core user experience.
Shown below are selected screens from BRM. Out of 42 screens developed, only a few are included due to university guidelines, highlighting key features and the platform’s core user experience.
Shown below are selected screens from BRM. Out of 42 screens developed, only a few are included due to university guidelines, highlighting key features and the platform’s core user experience.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
“The BRM thesis received positive feedback for both concept and design. One of the most challenging aspects was creating an engaging and visually appealing platform from a feature set primarily focused on dashboards. Beyond the design work, this project provided an invaluable learning experience. Conducting research, reading business management books, reviewing papers, and interviewing business owners broadened my perspective on how business strategy and design can integrate. This experience not only strengthened my skills but also deepened my understanding of creating solutions that deliver real-world impact.”
“The BRM thesis received positive feedback for both concept and design. One of the most challenging aspects was creating an engaging and visually appealing platform from a feature set primarily focused on dashboards. Beyond the design work, this project provided an invaluable learning experience. Conducting research, reading business management books, reviewing papers, and interviewing business owners broadened my perspective on how business strategy and design can integrate. This experience not only strengthened my skills but also deepened my understanding of creating solutions that deliver real-world impact.”
“The BRM thesis received positive feedback for both concept and design. One of the most challenging aspects was creating an engaging and visually appealing platform from a feature set primarily focused on dashboards. Beyond the design work, this project provided an invaluable learning experience. Conducting research, reading business management books, reviewing papers, and interviewing business owners broadened my perspective on how business strategy and design can integrate. This experience not only strengthened my skills but also deepened my understanding of creating solutions that deliver real-world impact.”
Contact Me 💬
Contact Me 💬
Contact Me 💬
Contact Me 💬
ashishshiv.upadhyay@gmail.com
ashishshiv.upadhyay@gmail.com
ashishshiv.upadhyay@gmail.com
ashishshiv.upadhyay@gmail.com
Lets Connect 📲
Lets Connect 📲
Lets Connect 📲
Lets Connect 📲
@Ashish Upadhyay
@Ashish Upadhyay
@Ashish Upadhyay
@Ashish Upadhyay
Designed & Developed by me💙
Designed & Developed by me💙
Designed & Developed by me💙
Designed & Developed by me💙