I’m Chad Hutchings

I concepted, drove and steered Walmart to consolidate the experiences for their 1.3 million store associates into a singular environment. Our team created Me@Walmart as a singular experience, and the application received a number of awards and was featured in Forbes… In the Merchandising space, I initiated a similar environment with a different integration model called Merch One, allowing our Buyers and their support teams access to all the workflows and data they use to plan and execute Walmart’s omni assortment.

Partnering with a top-notch Engineering group, we concepted an inventory tracker using goggles that would allow for hands-free use in Walmart’s backroom. When the technology proved to have some limitations, we suggested a merger with the devices our associates already use, and Viz Pick was born. This tool uses the device camera to scan and locate many products and packages simultaneously and direct the user what to pull in order for it to be available on the sales floor for customers. We had to come up with unique labeling and used a 2 codes system to create an almost infinite number of combinations.

Touring multiple sites across the country, it became apparent that our users needed a better way to track schedules, hours, vacation and communication from home. Me@ Walmart initially focussed on these aspects by providing an easy-to-read schedule, quick ways to request time off and limited schedule changes and swaps that allowed users tom tackle control of their working hours and communication, while abiding by legal policies about after hour interactions.

A problem our Walmart stores frequently ran into was the manual way that modular sections or store shelving plans were sent, executed and documented. I created the first Mod Flex tool that allowed stores to see their store plan, shelving blueprints (called planograms) and the ability to walk them through setup and send messages if there were discrepancies. This modular tool allowed users to use their handheld device to navigate, visualize, repair and six the physical space inventory they worked in every day.

I pioneered an internal visual CMS to create picture stories interspersed with interactive elements and quotes. This engine could be used for any number of needs where a good visual story needed to be told. With just a few images and content, users could create an immersive web experience for various areas.

In conjunction with an amazing engineering team, we created a Chatbot that could help users return specific data. The application Ask Sam eventually incorporated the users’ data, location and context to begin returning relevant data, from schedules, to problems, suggestions as well as integration with partnering functions.

Our team was tasked with coming up with a user solution to a technology that allowed a handheld scanner to scan multiple RFID tagged items at once. Working with our partners in product and business, we created an interface that slowed the scanning down to a digestible speed for humans, as well as added visual indicators of their progress and popping sounds to notify them that the scanner was indeed picking up product. The result was an application and tool that allowed users to scan an entire section of inventory in minutes instead of days.

As Me@ Walmart started, it became apparent that we would need new technology to handle the demands of the app and scanner. This opened the door for us to start an instant communication feature similar to a walkie-talkie functionality, we dubbed Push to Talk. This interface allowed users to select other associates that were currently working and engage in real time talking, as well as the ability to leave messages for those not available and see history of their communication while at work.

Walmart runs on data, and many of the Associates and Managers rely on this data to make informed decisions about the Business. On the stores side, we created beautiful and elegant ways to display financial and performance data with roll ups to regions and areas in Metrics that Matter. This allowed users to have a handheld view of various locations they may be touring at any given time. In the Merchandising space, we consolidated and made viewing real-time sales data seamless with Flight Deck, and improvements to custom reports, rules engine and opportunity detection will enhance the Merchant team experience in Merch One.

One of the defining moments in my transition to UX design was understanding how people get from point A to B. I was able to hone these skills working in environmental signage and way finding, directing traffic, labeling buildings, exhibits and making a person’s journey through any property more immersive and cohesive. I was able to do multiple campuses with complex and different amenities, to exhibits to leading branding and design efforts for the largest Family History conference in the world, Roots Tech. This work translated well to the digital world that I now lead.