Embassy Funds

Year

Year

2024

Client

Client

Embassy Funds

Type

Type

Responsive Tool

Results

Results

84% Labor Cut

Role

Role

Lead Designer
Lead Designer

Introduction

Embassy Funds, a private investment company, relied on an Excel-based portfolio optimizer for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). This tool, although effective, was restrictive and not fully utilized. The aim was to transform this excel sheet into a web-based platform accessible to all advisors.


Introduction

Embassy Funds, a private investment company, relied on an Excel-based portfolio optimizer for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). This tool, although effective, was restrictive and not fully utilized. The aim was to transform this excel sheet into a web-based platform accessible to all advisors.


Introduction

Embassy Funds, a private investment company, relied on an Excel-based portfolio optimizer for Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs). This tool, although effective, was restrictive and not fully utilized. The aim was to transform this excel sheet into a web-based platform accessible to all advisors.


Challenge

The Excel tool was complex and limited to a few users, causing high time costs and reduced profits.

Challenge

The Excel tool was complex and limited to a few users, causing high time costs and reduced profits.

Challenge

The Excel tool was complex and limited to a few users, causing high time costs and reduced profits.

Goal

Transform the Excel sheet into a user-friendly web tool, providing real-time insights and data-driven decisions for all advisors.



Goal

Transform the Excel sheet into a user-friendly web tool, providing real-time insights and data-driven decisions for all advisors.



Goal

Transform the Excel sheet into a user-friendly web tool, providing real-time insights and data-driven decisions for all advisors.



Research

We conducted competitor analysis, interviews, and empathy mapping to identify critical user needs.

Insights

RIAs needed: 


  • Optimization tools for better investment management


  • High returns, risk management


  • Portfolio fine-tuning.

Competitor Shortcomings

Users faced three main issues:


  • Difficulty incorporating constraints.


  • Inability to include private funds (80% of users interviewed desired this)


  • Balancing ease of use with the tools robustness.


Research

We conducted competitor analysis, interviews, and empathy mapping to identify critical user needs.

Insights

RIAs needed: 


  • Optimization tools for better investment management


  • High returns, risk management


  • Portfolio fine-tuning.

Competitor Shortcomings

Users faced three main issues:


  • Difficulty incorporating constraints.


  • Inability to include private funds (80% of users interviewed desired this)


  • Balancing ease of use with the tools robustness.


Research

We conducted competitor analysis, interviews, and empathy mapping to identify critical user needs.

Insights

RIAs needed: 


  • Optimization tools for better investment management


  • High returns, risk management


  • Portfolio fine-tuning.

Competitor Shortcomings

Users faced three main issues:


  • Difficulty incorporating constraints.


  • Inability to include private funds (80% of users interviewed desired this)


  • Balancing ease of use with the tools robustness.


Design

We aimed for a simple, intuitive design with flexibility and customization, allowing private fund incorporation.


Key Features


  • Adjusting Constraints: Users were now able to change constraint amounts and percentages.


  • Private Funds: The ability to add private funds was added to the optimizer


  • Balanced Interface: A user-friendly interface was created, providing information on individual funds, charts, and optimized results, with all complex computations handled on the backend


Design

We aimed for a simple, intuitive design with flexibility and customization, allowing private fund incorporation.


Key Features


  • Adjusting Constraints: Users were now able to change constraint amounts and percentages.


  • Private Funds: The ability to add private funds was added to the optimizer


  • Balanced Interface: A user-friendly interface was created, providing information on individual funds, charts, and optimized results, with all complex computations handled on the backend


Design

We aimed for a simple, intuitive design with flexibility and customization, allowing private fund incorporation.


Key Features


  • Adjusting Constraints: Users were now able to change constraint amounts and percentages.


  • Private Funds: The ability to add private funds was added to the optimizer


  • Balanced Interface: A user-friendly interface was created, providing information on individual funds, charts, and optimized results, with all complex computations handled on the backend


Usability Testing


  • Importance of Tooltips and Explanatory Copy: Our tests highlighted the necessity of tooltips or explanatory text to help users better understand the presented content.


  • Familiarity vs. Clarity: Despite our user demographic's familiarity with portfolio optimization tools, they still found some titles and inputs confusing, underscoring the need for clearer labeling and instructions.


Usability Testing


  • Importance of Tooltips and Explanatory Copy: Our tests highlighted the necessity of tooltips or explanatory text to help users better understand the presented content.


  • Familiarity vs. Clarity: Despite our user demographic's familiarity with portfolio optimization tools, they still found some titles and inputs confusing, underscoring the need for clearer labeling and instructions.


Usability Testing


  • Importance of Tooltips and Explanatory Copy: Our tests highlighted the necessity of tooltips or explanatory text to help users better understand the presented content.


  • Familiarity vs. Clarity: Despite our user demographic's familiarity with portfolio optimization tools, they still found some titles and inputs confusing, underscoring the need for clearer labeling and instructions.


Results

The new web tool reduced labor time on optimization by 84%, enhancing productivity and business outcomes for Embassy Funds.



Results

The new web tool reduced labor time on optimization by 84%, enhancing productivity and business outcomes for Embassy Funds.



Results

The new web tool reduced labor time on optimization by 84%, enhancing productivity and business outcomes for Embassy Funds.



©2024 Daniel Rosenfarb