When the discovery phase wrapped, our newly formed XFactor team (design, content, research, and dev) shifted into execution mode. As the sole in-house designer, I guided the visual and interaction design from low-fidelity sketches to medium-fidelity wireframes, and finally to high-fidelity clickable prototypes.

We deliberately embraced a “skateboard, scooter, car” delivery mindset — start small but complete, then iterate. This meant trimming scope to what would pass compliance, meet a basic user need, and prove that Schwab’s agile approach could deliver in months, not years.

To validate decisions, I worked side-by-side with our contract researcher, conducting weekly usability testing in Schwab’s dedicated research rooms. These sessions — with one-way mirrors, recordings, and live stakeholder observation — provided real-time feedback loops. We adapted flows, labels, and layouts based on user behavior, not assumption.

By late 2018, we had a lean, compliant MVP ready: a simple, self-service RMD flow that would set the stage for future expansion. This was the first tangible proof that Schwab’s co-located agile model could bring a regulated financial product from concept to launch within a single calendar year.