Material Design for Securian
2023 - 2025
Championing Open-Source for Securian’s Future
Securian Financial Group, Inc.
Modernizing internal systems isn’t just about the tools—it’s about the journey. Adopting an open-source design system transformed internal tools and positioned Securian for long-term success.
My roles & work led ⇢
Reevaluating the Path
Shifted the focus from applying an existing system to finding the right solution for internal tools and workflows.
Collaborative Problem-Solving
Brought together developers, designers, and leaders to evaluate and test new options, ensuring every voice was heard.
Equipping Teams for Success
Gave developers and designers the tools they needed to build better, more effective applications.
Building for the Future
Laid the groundwork for scalable, modern tools that improve work today and support growth tomorrow.
When tasked with modernizing internal systems at Securian Financial, I recognized that the initial directive to apply the company’s marketing-based design system wasn’t aligned with the needs of its users or developers. By engaging key stakeholders, fostering collaboration, and conducting rigorous evaluations, I guided the organization through a transformative process.
Together, we adopted an open-source design system that empowered developers, elevated internal design, and set Enterprise Technology on a trajectory toward long-term success.This story is about the path taken... from careful analysis and evaluation of user needs to inspiring leadership to embrace a bold, forward-thinking vision.
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Process: Phase 1 ✺
Identifying the Problem
Securian’s internal tools were outdated, built on Yahoo’s YUI framework, and ripe for modernization. The proposed solution of adopting the company’s DSG, raised significant challenges:
- End Users: Customer service representatives, adjusters, analysts, underwriters, and operations teams required systems that supported their specific workflows, which DSG was ill-suited to deliver.
- Developers: The DSG lacked flexibility across React, Vue, and Angular, creating inefficiencies and limiting creativity.
- Leadership: Enterprise Technology (ET) leaders needed confidence that the solution would support long-term scalability and operational goals.
This project required a solution that transcended short-term fixes to deliver lasting value.
Understanding the Users
A key step was identifying and engaging all stakeholders:
- Internal Users: Spanning multiple departments, they required intuitive and efficient tools that simplified complex workflows.
- Developers: Representing the backbone of Securian’s technology ecosystem, they needed a well-documented, flexible framework to streamline development and reduce technical debt.
- ET Leadership: Tasked with supporting Securian’s technology strategy, they sought a scalable and future-proof system to ensure operational excellence.
Through interviews, workshops, and usability research, I built a comprehensive understanding of these groups' needs, creating a foundation for evidence-based decision-making.
Exploring the Solution
Realizing the limitations of DSG, I proposed evaluating open-source design systems. This idea required careful advocacy to gain buy-in from stakeholders accustomed to existing systems.
To ensure an objective process, I organized an innovation sprint, bringing together top-tier developers from React, Vue, and Angular teams to evaluate the options. Each system—Material Design, IBM Carbon, and Adobe Spectrum—was pressure-tested against key criteria, including scalability, accessibility, and usability. This collaborative approach proved vital:
- Developers became champions for the process, inspired by the opportunity to work with world-class design systems.
- The evaluation highlighted the wealth of knowledge, best practices, and accessibility features embedded in these open-source frameworks, underscoring their transformative potential.
Material Design ultimately emerged as the most robust solution, earning the trust of developers and leaders alike.
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Process: Phase 2 ✺✺
Creating the Solution
With leadership approval secured, I led the foundational work to integrate the chosen system:
- Component Libraries: Developed reusable, cross-framework components to streamline adoption and scalability.
- Standards and Documentation: Created clear guidelines to support developers and designers in delivering consistent, high-quality work.
- Collaborative Workshops: Conducted training sessions to empower internal teams to maximize the potential of the new system.
Collaboration and Rollout
Collaboration was at the heart of the rollout:
- Leadership Engagement: Presented findings to ET leadership, highlighting the strategic benefits and future-proofing potential of the new system.
- Developer Inclusion: Fostered excitement among developers by showcasing how the system elevated their ability to create impactful applications.
- Pilot Testing: Piloted the system with select internal tools, incorporating feedback to refine and optimize its implementation.
Testing and Iteration
Throughout the process, I emphasized iteration and learning:
- Conducted usability testing to validate that the system met the needs of diverse internal users.
- Iterated on components based on developer feedback to ensure seamless integration across frameworks.
- Encouraged cross-team collaboration to address edge cases and improve workflows.
Outcomes
Inspiration and Empowerment:
Developers and designers felt energized by access to a world-class system, raising the bar for internal applications.
Improved Efficiency:
Internal users reported faster workflows and reduced friction, while developers experienced greater productivity and reduced technical debt.
Strategic Success:
The open-source adoption positioned ET leadership and Securian’s technology ecosystem for sustained growth and innovation.
Reflections and Key Takeaways ☻
This initiative demonstrated how collaboration and thoughtful decision-making can drive meaningful change:
- Leadership Alignment: Involving ET leadership and developers in the process built trust and ensured shared goals.
- Raising the Bar: The selected system introduced best practices, accessibility, and design tools that empowered teams to create better applications.
- Laying a Strong Foundation: Choosing the harder path resulted in a scalable solution that meets today’s needs while supporting future growth.
Looking Ahead ⇢ This success led to refactoring existing tools and creating new ones with the system. It showed that the right decision, even when challenging, can inspire teams and drive real progress.
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