Hi, I AM

Chetna ​Varman

Crafting frameworks and building A-Teams ​that delivers impactful UX Strategies

Building UX Practice that Generates Impactful User Experiences

Fusing Tech and ​Psychology for Outcome ​Driven User Journeys

With 18 years of experience in User Experience (UX), I offer strategic ​leadership adept at constructing frameworks and cultivating high-performing ​global teams. Proficient in steering major projects, facilitating consensus, and ​fostering a culture of excellence, I specialize in crafting user experiences that ​drive tangible results, refining interactions, and enhancing user satisfaction. By ​leveraging behavioral economics and mental models, I consistently deliver ​substantial business benefits. Through my effective leadership, I oversee the ​development of impactful, consumer-centric products and spearhead ​essential strategic initiatives to enhance business performance. I am ​dedicated to nurturing an environment conducive to advancing UX practices ​and elevating team competencies to deliver meaningful user experiences ​within the organization.

My Journey & Experience

2022 - ​Present

Engineering Manager - UX & Online Product Support

Caterpillar - Autonomy & Worksite Solutions Division, Chennai IN

Heading a global team of 30 professionals specializing in UX design, research, ​strategy, technology leadership, and content creation. They focus on innovative ​customer-centric solutions, platform integration, autonomous job site monitoring, ​remote machinery control, in-cab support displays, and productivity solutions for ​construction and mining. Team members are based in Brisbane, Chennai, Bangalore, ​and Peoria, focusing on research, usability testing, UX design, technical ​documentation, and online product support.

Building the A-Team

• Implementing programs that cater to the specific requirements of professionals in this field
• Adopting horizontal architecture to facilitate cross-disciplinary learning
• Collaborating with top design firms in the industry to establish a versatile and cooperative talent pool
  

UX Standards

• Implemented a framework and checkpoints to maintain UX quality and consistency
• Making decisions based on data - utilizing analytics and user research
• Incorporating SAFE Agile practices into the Human-Centered Design process
  

Usability score above industry average

• Effortless customer experience is crucial for adoption. A framework was created to measure and enhance usability, leading to improved ​scores and addressing design blind spots.
  
• Collaboration with the go-to-market team was key in developing strategies for user adoption of new offerings.
  

2018 - 2022

TEAM LEAD - UX & Online Product Support

Caterpillar - ICS, Chennai IN

In two years, transformed the UX function from a small team to a global COE of 20 ​members across regions. Enhanced team capabilities, integrated value-generating ​functions, and focused on customer experience. Developed a comprehensive product ​portfolio, organized workshops, defined UX strategies, and obtained a patent. Led the ​team through implementing SAFE agile deployment for improved performance.

Growing the practice beyond design

• Started with 4 designers, grew into a UX practice with research and DAP. Established a global team for local market support.
  

Accelerated Customer Adoption

• Designed a productivity tracking app for construction sites from the ground up, leading to over 400 subscriptions pre-launch
• Engaged in comprehensive user collaboration studies and A/B testing to customize solutions to better match user business needs
• Strategy for mobile
  

Design System

• To ensure consistency in customer interactions, a cohesive brand experience and design system are crucial. Development of an ​enterprise design system was led, along with the introduction of usability testing strategies. Evaluation of the tech stack, governance ​establishment for a mono-repo, and deployment strategies to live applications were implemented.
  

PATENT

• Patent on UX Solution (Patent # 11288614)
  

2015-2018

INNOVATION CONSULTANT - Product Design

Caterpillar - Marketing & Digital Division, Chennai, India

• Led strategic change for 11 global business units, enhancing enterprise-wide innovation.
  
• Consulted on 4 technologies, transforming ideas into viable solutions, leading to a licensing deal
  
• Facilitated over 50+ workshops in U.S, China, UK and India to launch lean innovation teams exploring new ideas
  
• Directed the discovery phase for the two million connected assets project across APAC.
  
• Conducted generative studies on parts sales, digital UX, and e-commerce.
  
• Awarded stocks as part of the CEO's award for defining the digital transformation strategy and digital UX strategies for Caterpillar.
  

2012-2015

INNOVATION TRANSFORMATION LEAD - Employee Experience

Caterpillar - Peoria, Il, USA

• Spearheaded the "ZERO to INNOVATE" program, fostering global innovation within a business unit ​of 10,000 employees spanning 52 facilities.
• Formulated and executed a human resources strategy to facilitate change, enhancing the work ​environment by 15% within 2 years, and tripling the volume of patent applications.
  
• Offered direct guidance in communications to Vice Presidents, General Managers, and Product ​Managers.
  
• Orchestrated initiatives on employee engagement, communication, and leadership development, ​collaborating closely with division leaders to shape and deliver an improved employee journey, ​hastening business outcomes.
  

Jan-jun ​2012

Marketing Communications Manager

Advanced technology Services, Peoria, IL, USA

• Marketing two very different industry services – maintenance service for four wall manufacturing and IT support service.
• Utilizing content marketing for lead generation. Employing tools such as HubSpot to monitor and analyze website views, and ​gather data to input into Salesforce.
• Conducting research to pinpoint key challenges faced by potential customers in the industry regarding these services, as well as ​industry trends, crafting engaging content topics, and producing content.
• Creating engaging experiences (virtual and physical) for potential customers.
• In a span of 6 months, our team collectively generated 456 leads, which was more than double the previous year's achievement.
  

2012-2015

GLOBAL MARCOM SR. EXECUTIVE

FLEX (ex:Flextronics), Chennai, India

• Enhanced employee engagement and nurtured company culture through strategic internal communications.
• Worked alongside HR leaders to craft and implement comprehensive communication initiatives.
• Managed content for the Global HR intranet and a monthly culture e-newsletter, launching campaigns to boost Flextronics' employer ​brand internally and externally.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to ensure successful program implementation across Asia, Americas, and EMEA sites.
• Conducted research to advise leadership on strategic priorities, resulting in a 13-point rise in engagement levels from 2008 to 2010.
• Spearheaded studies on internal communication effectiveness, offering insights and suggestions for regional and global enhancements.
• Created communication resources for managers and developed internal and external communication packages for employer branding.
• Recognized with the "Super Star Award" for the Employer Branding Campaign (July 2010) and the Star Individual Contributor Award ​(December 2009) for the Global Employee Insights Survey.
  

2007-2008

APAC MARCOM EXECUTIVE

RR Donnelley, Chennai, India

• Responsible for developing and implementing internal communication strategies, branding initiatives, external communication efforts, ​and corporate branding.
• Conceptualized and carried out the launch of four major internal campaigns and an event for an Employee Day themed around 3000 ​employees.
• Enhanced brand visibility through communication-focused projects such as events, launches, and advertising campaigns, ensuring ​successful execution and surpassing customer expectations.
• Fostered collaboration among different departments across the organization's locations, including APAC and the USA HQ in Chicago.
• Orchestrated a comprehensive internal communications campaign for the HR division, resulting in a 20 percent increase in employee ​engagement.
• Led change management communication efforts to support organizational transitions during integration.
  

Internships

Certifications

portfolio

People don’t buy products, they ​buy the best version of themselves