Building a Centralized Cross-Functional Search Experience
A centralized, intelligent search system for a complex enterprise platform to reduce friction, accelerate task completion, and empower users to access data across modules with ease.
Role
Senior UX Designer
Timeline
Jan - Jun 2025
Team
Led a self-initiated effort in collaboration with Stride users and data engineers
Introduction
A seamless search experience is at the heart of user productivity—especially within complex platforms like Stride, where modules are interdependent and large volumes of information are accessed daily.
This case study presents the design journey for a Centralized Cross-Functional Search Platform that empowers users to quickly find, filter, and act on essential information from any module—removing bottlenecks and boosting efficiency across Walmart’s operational workflows.
Problem
Statement
Stride’s current module-specific search restricts users to siloed information, forcing them to switch context and screens just to find interconnected data. For roles like Load Lifecycle Managers (LLMs) and dispatchers, this means wasted time, fractured workflows, and missed opportunities:
Major Pain Points
Users can't see everything at once; key details are hidden behind multiple transitions
Information like calendar events, trip stop sequences, HoS limits, and backhaul distances are separated between pages and modules
LLMs juggle multiple tools, external links, and manual map lookups just to assign work efficiently
Heavy workloads exacerbate friction, dragging down both speed and satisfaction
User Insights
“Stride’s fragmentary search experience was slowing us down. We needed a fast, intuitive way to unify critical information—without leaving our flow.”
– Load Logistic Manager, West Transportation
Command Center
Heavy workload slows productivity
On busy days, excessive transitions made each action frustratingly slow
Reliance on external
tools
Users turned to external modules, revealing gaps in the platform's capabilities
Dashboards lacked key details
Users couldn't see everything they needed for decision-making at a glance
Inefficient transitions
Navigating between driver details, trip info, maps, and comments was time-consuming.
Centralized Search: Features
that Transform Workflows
The solution is a centralized, cross-functional platform that seamlessly bridges data across all modules. Designed for speed, flexibility, and intuitive discovery—no matter where it lives—enabling smarter, faster decision-making throughout their workflow. Every feature was crafted to anticipate real-world scenarios, supporting users with the tools they truly need to stay productive.
Global Search Access (Ctrl + K)
Users can now launch search anywhere—carriers, drivers, trips, loads, invoices—ensuring instant access to all critical data without losing workflow context
Smart Suggestions
Stride’s current module-specific search restricts users to siloed information, forcing them to switch context and screens just to find interconnected data. For roles like Load Lifecycle Managers (LLMs) and dispatchers, this means wasted time, fractured workflows, and missed opportunities
Search results display key information—like trip timelines, stop sequences, driver HoS—within actionable cards.
Apply & Save Filters
Advanced quick filters by modules to help focus search results for power users
Search results display key information—like trip timelines, stop sequences, driver HoS—within actionable cards.
Recent History
A dynamic recent history panel allows fast re-access to past queries—supporting users during heavy or repetitive workdays
AI-Powered Search
AI enhancements interpret complex queries, surfacing context-aware and relevant search queries instantly
Conclusion
The centralized cross-functional search experience transformed Stride from a fragmented, frustrating tool into an empowering platform that supports quick decisions, transparency, and productivity. Storytelling the project emphasizes that—by listening to users’ struggles and designing for their daily needs—we delivered not just a tool, but meaningful impact.
Measurable Impact
We brought intelligence, speed, and delight to everyday workflows. Now, one search can unlock exactly what you need—every single time.
55%
Drop of search-to-action time from over 90 seconds to less than 40 seconds per task.
30%
Increase in daily workload capacity for Load Logistic Managers.
85%
Reported finding information much faster than before.
70%
Cut external tool usage
90%
Increase in user adoption rate within the first month.
"I can finally do my job in one place—no more hunting for info. It feels like the system is working with me, not against me."
– Load Logistic Manager, West Transportation Command Center