Overview
What is Allen Backoffice?
Allen’s Library is an online learning platform that helps medical students prepare for the Korean Medical Licensing Examination. Allen Backoffice is the content management system (CMS) that manages all the theory and question content used on the platform.
What was the problem?
As the content scaled, managing it via Excel and hardcoding became difficult
The engineering team was responsible for both content-related hardcoding and core feature development. This additional workload often caused delays in delivering essential features.
The current content system relied on hardcoding and Excel files, requiring the content team to follow strict formatting rules. Small deviations—such as indentation differences—caused errors, making the workflow error-prone.
When content requires revision, the content team modifies Excel files, which are then hardcoded by developers. This time-consuming process often results in delays in delivering timely content updates.
Solutions
Built a CMS back-office system that enables the content team to directly create, edit, and publish content
1. Independent content management by CMS
2. Advanced filtering options for efficient content creation
3. Role-based content publishing
Impact
Reduction in engineering requests after implementing the CMS, easing developer workload.
Content updates the team could now ship on a regular cadence, keeping study materials current for medical students.
Kick-Off Meeting
Established CMS design requirements by understanding backend structure
I initiated a meeting with the PM who designed the backend data structure and managed content via Excel. In this meeting, I gained a thorough understanding of the overall backend structure, including how questions and theories are linked to specific subjects.
Understanding users
Defined content team roles & responsibilities
After a stakeholder meeting, we defined the roles and responsibilities of the content team. The roles—Content author, Reviewer, and Final approver—determined the specific responsibilities of each team member.
Created a visualization of the content upload flow according to roles
Ideation
Designed IA based on the service’s content management workflow
Mid-fi wireframing: identifying gaps and improvements
Design Feedback
Design refinement with the content team and developers
1. Improving content selection with filters and ordering
2. Adjusting author selection placement
Final Design
1. Create content directly within the CMS
2. Advanced filtering options for efficient content creation and refinement
3. Role-based content publishing
Key Takeaways
What I learned from this project
1. A deeper understanding of service structure
2. Designing within technical and time constraints
3. Using kanban system for efficient workflow
