The end goal of this usability initiative is to create a user-centric approach, delivering an intuitive system that solves the current operational challenges. This series of improvements stemmed from user requests to enhance usability and improve workflows within the GrantSolutions system.

As GrantSolutions works to update the full ecosystem specific focus will be placed on users to:

  • Improve workflow tracking in the system
  • Improve grant file management
  • Improve communication methods
  • Reduce recipient and grantor burden
  • Improve risk management
User Expereince Roadmap

User Feedback Drives Design and Development

GrantSolutions is using a user-centered process that enables users to be engaged throughout the design and development process. Users participate in business requirement sessions to discuss the grants management business process specifics before the design phase begins. Additionally, users participate in business requirements refinement and design reviews throughout development.

User Engagement

Go behind the scenes to see how user input is truly driving enhancements at GrantSolutions

Upcoming Enhancements

It is essential to keep in mind that updating the GrantSolutions ecosystem to be one seamless interface will take time. To ensure these updates are done without interrupting your work or ability to process grants GrantSolutions will be making updates in frequent small stages.

Upcoming enhancements planned for released in the next few quarters:

New Landing Page

To streamline how users access the GrantSolutions system a new landing page design that focus on the services each user accesses will be deployed in FY24 Q1.

New System Landing Page: improves user management and access to user training and assistance. The new landing page brings the services users need front and center taking a page desgin from smartphones and desktop interfaces that are familiar to all users.

 

Grants List

The enhanced Grants List displays the results in a user-friendly way while adding risk warnings (RDI) and flags for key in-progress work activities.

Key features include:

  • Management of Discretionary and Non-Discretionary grants in one location
  • Search, sort, and filter features with key grant data elements displayed for ease of management.
  • Streamlined wayfinding and integration with risk management.

New Grants List provides: Easy Filtering / Search SavesRevise filters / drill-down within the search results (portfolio) Summary InformationGrant project summary information RDI Integration Real-time integration with RDI to flag for potential issues Informational Alerts Flags to call out in-progress work activities of interest Links to Actions Ability to expand and drill deeper where interested

 

Grant Details

The enhanced Grant Details takes portfolio management of an individual grant project to the next level by presenting data and actions in a centralized hub to reduce user burden and provide time savings on post award tasks.

New Grant Details include: Improved Global Navigation Grant Project LifecycleEasy visualization of the grant project period and progress Tabs Ability to flip between key system functions Risk Warnings Flags to call out in-progress work activities of interest Due Dates / Actions Ability to expand and drill deeper where interested

Grant File

The enhanced Grant File automatically tags and imports system generated files while providing the user flexibility to upload unique files.

Key features include:

    • Quickly identify and download grant project artifacts in one location
    • Bulk download Notes, Reports, History for one or more grant projects
    • User interface and backend system artifact retention behaviors
    • Tag and store artifacts from multiple parts of the GrantSolutions ecosystem into the Unified Grant File

Grant File automatically tags and imports system generated files - File TaggingEasy tag files to locate later by specifying the Folder, Fiscal Year, and Budget Period an artifact belongs toBulk UploadAbility to upload up to five files by drag and drop on your desktop into the Grant FileView All Files Toggle (See Part 2 for Details)Quickly view all files for review or bulk extraction associated with a Grant ProjectFile Management via FoldersStandardized file management via folders assist with audit trail and enabling users the ability to quickly find files.

Grant Messenger

Previously, "Grant Notes" was used as a catch all phrase to encompass communications between grantors and recipients. The new Grants Messenger will feature:

  • Bulk actions including Send, Search, Attach, and Download
  • Custom note categories to improve file management
  • Reduces time users require to find documents within their Grant Notes

New MessageUpon typing a new message, the tool will expand to allow a user the ability to create a new message, add a subject, category and specify the type of message they want to send (whether it should only be viewed by federal staff or also recipient POCs)Search Quickly search and filter messages based on keywords used within the message thread or based on the subject title of a message. FilterFilters based on date range, author, communication type, and category allow end users the ability to find specific messages / correspondence.Message Cards / ResultsView and expand message cards, and results retrieved based on a filter or search. Each card can be expanded enabling the user to read the full message thread or respond within the thread.