CPI
Defining an MVP for a custom applicant tracking system
Team
3 designers
1 product manager
1 engineering architect
Role
Engagement Manager
Year
2024
Focus
Product definition,
build-vs-buy decision, cross-functional leadership
The Problem
CPI New York relied on multiple applicant tracking and CRM tools to manage recruiting for investment firms, but none fully met their needs. Data was fragmented across systems, key features were missing, and recruiters struggled to manage high applicant volume—especially during peak recruiting periods. CPI saw an opportunity to explore building a custom applicant tracking system that could better support their workflows, differentiate them in the market, and eventually become a new line of business.
Key Work
Stakeholder & Recruiter Interviews
to understand workflows, pain points, and gaps across existing ATS and CRM tools
Persona Creation
for recruiters, clients, and applicants, with applicant needs intentionally deprioritized for the MVP
Service Blueprinting
for ideation and feature prioritization to document systems, data flows, and manual touchpoints across the recruiting process
Build vs Buy Analysis
to assess flexibility, experience gaps, and long-term differentiation
MVP & Long Term Roadmap
focused on early value delivery and future executive buy-in
Impact
Helped CPI determine whether building a custom ATS made sense
Delivered an MVP roadmap that solved for 99% of pain points and wish list items
Established a foundation for future phases and a potential new revenue stream through white-labeling
Leadership Insight
This project reinforced the importance of simplifying complex systems and acting as a translator between business, design, and technical teams—especially when helping non-technical stakeholders make confident product decisions.