Introduction

When engaged by Payrise in 2024, their vision was to build a comprehensive uninterrupted service that is critical to businesses and their employees. It was about creating a platform that focuses on proactive risk management, rapid incident response, and continuous service improvement to mitigate operational downtime and ensure the seamless experience our users expect.

To achieve this I did a research on the complexities of HR management and payrolling through user interviews and competitive market analysis,which helps in clarifications on what the product needs to overcome.

The Challenge

HR operations in many Nigerian organizations is anything but straightforward. Whether it's managing employee data, tracking leave requests, handling payroll, or staying compliant with local labor laws, HR teams often operate within a fragmented system. Communication happens across scattered spreadsheets, WhatsApp chats, and email threads leading to delays, missed updates, and costly errors.

For companies with distributed teams, the lack of a centralized, transparent platform makes it harder to ensure timely onboarding, accurate record keeping, and employee satisfaction. The result is a reactive HR process that struggles to scale when what’s needed is a streamlined, intelligent system that puts structure, clarity, and control back into the hands of HR teams.

The challenge lists are:

• Operational Resilience: Maintain uninterrupted payroll, payment, and HR

services despite external or internal disruptions.

• Defined Responsibilities: Establish clear guidelines on roles and expectations

for business continuity response teams.

• Payroll Processing & Compliance: Ensuring accurate and timely salary

payments, including tax deductions, pension contributions, and benefits

management.

• HR & Staff Management Functions: Keeping employment records, leave

requests, and scheduling tools functional during disruptions.

• Bill Payments & Utility Transactions: Allowing seamless transactions for

airtime, data, and other utility bill payments even in periods of system stress.

Research and Insight

For the purpose of understanding how businesses can benefit from this platform and as well understand user needs and behaviours for keeping records and management of human resource.

I combined insights from various existing platforms. I analyzed:

• Existing HR Platforms (e.g., SeamlessHR, BambooHR, Workday)

  
  To gain insight into local HR practices and user expectations around employee data management, payroll processing, and task automation.

  
  

• Fintech Apps (e.g., Chipper Cash, Paystack, Revolut)

  
  Studied how financial platforms simplify complex transactions through clean UI, real-time feedback, and trust-building elements like biometric security and transparent fee structures. These patterns informed how HR tools can streamline payroll, benefits disbursement, and financial reporting while ensuring clarity, compliance, and user confidence.

With these insights I was able to design the Payrise app and ensuring it was user-centered and user-friendly.

Solution

The HR platform was designed as an all-in-one solution that systematically addressed key pain points across the employee lifecycle. Below is a breakdown of the core features I developed—shaped by in-depth user research and inspired by best practices from both HR and adjacent industries.

1. Build Trust with Clean UI and Clear, Inclusive Language

Design a user interface that feels approachable and professional, reinforcing confidence in the HR platform. Use clear, inclusive language across all touchpoints from onboarding flows to policy descriptions so users feel informed, respected, and secure while navigating sensitive information like benefits, performance reviews, or payroll details.

2. Enable Fast Search and Instant Access to Key Employee Information

   
   

In large or distributed teams, HR professionals need to find specific employee records, documents, or updates quickly. Implement a responsive global search and smart filtering system that makes it easy to locate employee profiles, leave history, compliance documents, or performance data cutting down on time wasted digging through disconnected tools or files.

3. Streamline Task Completion for Both Employees and HR Teams

   
   

Whether it’s submitting leave requests, updating tax info, or completing onboarding tasks, every action should be frictionless. Design workflows that minimize form fatigue, clearly indicate next steps, and provide immediate confirmation mirroring the simplicity of e-commerce checkout or digital banking flows.

4. Design an HR/Admin Dashboard with Clarity and Control

   
   

For HR managers, visibility is everything. The admin dashboard should provide a clean, prioritized overview of pending requests (leave approvals, document verifications, payroll exceptions), workforce insights, compliance alerts, and employee milestones all organized by urgency and relevance. Include smart filtering, real-time updates, and tools for batch processing to help teams stay proactive rather than reactive.