Redesigning IBM’s Executive Compensation Planning Tool
I led the redesign of the primary 2021 HR technology tool for IBM’s executive compensation planning, developing a comprehensive solution to support the entire compensation cycle. This tool streamlined the planning, decision-making, and approval processes, ensuring alignment across all key stakeholders.
Overview
The objective of the redesign was to transform IBM’s executive compensation planning into a modern, intuitive, and highly efficient process - ensuring clarity, speed, and data-driven decision-making across the entire compensation cycle.
It covered key functions such as Annual Incentive Planning (AIP) and Cash & Equity Planning, guiding HR partners and senior leadership through every phase: preparation, planning, validation, and approval.
It covered key functions such as Annual Incentive Planning (AIP) and Cash & Equity Planning, guiding HR partners and senior leadership through every phase: preparation, planning, validation, and approval.
Problem with the Previous System
- The existing tool was outdated, rigid, and lacked personalization, making the compensation planning process inefficient and cumbersome.
Key challenges included:
- Limited Customization & Personalization: The tool did not adapt to different roles, making it difficult for HR partners, Compensation Leads, and SVPs to access relevant insights tailored to their needs.
- Complex & Inefficient Workflows: The system required manual workarounds, leading to errors, inconsistencies, and longer approval cycles.
- Lack of Transparency & Real-Time Insights: Stakeholders had limited visibility into decision-making processes, creating bottlenecks in validation and approvals.
- Outdated UI/UX: The interface was not user-friendly, reducing adoption and making it harder to navigate critical planning stages.
By redesigning the tool, we transformed the executive compensation process into a modern, role-specific, and data-driven experience, ensuring IBM could plan, decide, and execute Executive Compensation more effectively.
