SaaS

Corporate Wellness

Behavioural Design

BreatheBoard

BreatheBoard is a B2B wellness platform designed for HR teams and People Managers to foster daily momentum, emotional wellbeing, and high-performance habits within distributed teams. It addresses the growing gap between employee engagement and recovery needs, especially in hybrid and remote-first workplaces.

Initial Research Takeaways: Informing Design Priorities

In early conversations with HR managers and team members, several patterns emerged, hinting at gaps in current practices and opportunities to drive deeper engagement and wellbeing at scale.

5 interviews conducted (3 HR managers, 2 team members)

Participants spanned Big 4 companies and a mid-sized startup

Early-stage exploration to capture emotional, operational, and engagement gaps from both leadership and team perspectives

From 3 Books, 5 Articles, and 40+ Post-its to 10 Actionable Insights

Through an intensive deep dive into behavioral science, real-world wellbeing practices, and concept mapping, I distilled over 20+ raw insights into 10 key principles that shaped BreatheBoard.

1. Growing Demand for Scalable Wellbeing Tools
Source: Secondary research conversations + industry trend analysis
Why it matters: In a world shifting to hybrid and remote models, HRs are seeking SaaS platforms that offer scalability, efficiency, and adaptability.
Key takeaway: Wellness tools need to be cloud-based, modular, and customisable for modern workforce needs.
2. Transparency Over Secrecy Drives Higher Engagement
Source: Notes from country comparisons — Denmark, New Zealand, Finland
Why it matters: These countries consistently rank highest in global employee wellbeing indexes (like World Happiness Report, OECD Better Life Index).
Key takeaway: Building transparent, accountable wellbeing policies (not secretive or superficial ones) is crucial to boost employee trust.
3. AI and Real-Time Analytics Are the Future of Workplace Wellness
Source: Research from practices in Denmark and Finland; notes on ML for predicting health risks
Why it matters: Leading countries are already leveraging AI to proactively identify burnout risks, enabling early interventions.
Key takeaway: Integrating real-time analytics and predictive health models will soon become standard, not optional.
4. Productivity and Wellbeing Are Deeply Connected
Source: Industry whitepapers + BreatheBoard internal research discussions
Why it matters: Companies that invest in employee wellbeing observe measurable improvements in team performance and goal achievement.
Key takeaway: Positioning wellness as a business performance driver (not just a “feel good” initiative) makes stronger business cases to leadership.
5. Normalise Positive Behaviours Through Micro Nudges
Source: Book – The Art of Thinking Clearly (concepts: Micro-Nudges, Social Proof Herding)
Why it matters: People are more likely to change behaviours when they see others doing it (social proof) and when nudges feel casual, not forced.
Key takeaway: Embedding gentle nudges into workplace routines normalizes wellbeing habits without employee resistance.
7. Small Wellness Wins Create Big Habit Shifts
Source: Observations from wellness design practices and employee behaviour studies

Why it matters: Mini daily achievements (like drinking enough water, taking breaks) are more sustainable and motivating than large programs.

Key takeaway: Micro-wins should be celebrated and made visible to sustain long-term wellness adoption.
6. Mood Tracking Builds Self-Awareness and Resilience
Source: Notes on Mood Tracker / Energy Ring concepts from behavioural science research
Why it matters: Visualising mood patterns helps individuals spot triggers early, regulate emotions, and seek timely support.
Key takeaway: Introducing simple, color-coded mood tools can foster a culture of mental clarity and emotional self-management.
8. Visual Management Enhances Wellness Visibility
Source: Inspired by Lean and Agile principles + wellness tech products
Why it matters: When emotional wellbeing is made visible through simple dashboards (colour codes, heatmaps), teams feel more accountable and aligned.
Key takeaway: Visual management of wellness metrics can normalize conversations around mental health at work.
9. Wellness Experiments Empower Teams to Own Their Wellbeing
Source: Notes on Wellness Playbooks and Experiment Modules (Kaizen Methodology influences)
Why it matters: Giving employees the autonomy to try mini wellness challenges and reflect on them boosts engagement and motivation.
Key takeaway: "Try, Reflect, Adopt" cycles make wellness initiatives more democratic and meaningful.
1. Growing Demand for Scalable Wellbeing Tools
Source: Secondary research conversations + industry trend analysis
Why it matters: In a world shifting to hybrid and remote models, HRs are seeking SaaS platforms that offer scalability, efficiency, and adaptability.
Key takeaway: Wellness tools need to be cloud-based, modular, and customisable for modern workforce needs.
2. Transparency Over Secrecy Drives Higher Engagement
Source: Notes from country comparisons — Denmark, New Zealand, Finland
Why it matters: These countries consistently rank highest in global employee wellbeing indexes (like World Happiness Report, OECD Better Life Index).
Key takeaway: Building transparent, accountable wellbeing policies (not secretive or superficial ones) is crucial to boost employee trust.
3. AI and Real-Time Analytics Are the Future of Workplace Wellness
Source: Research from practices in Denmark and Finland; notes on ML for predicting health risks
Why it matters: Leading countries are already leveraging AI to proactively identify burnout risks, enabling early interventions.
Key takeaway: Integrating real-time analytics and predictive health models will soon become standard, not optional.
4. Productivity and Wellbeing Are Deeply Connected
Source: Industry whitepapers + BreatheBoard internal research discussions
Why it matters: Companies that invest in employee wellbeing observe measurable improvements in team performance and goal achievement.
Key takeaway: Positioning wellness as a business performance driver (not just a “feel good” initiative) makes stronger business cases to leadership.
5. Normalise Positive Behaviours Through Micro Nudges
Source: Book – The Art of Thinking Clearly (concepts: Micro-Nudges, Social Proof Herding)
Why it matters: People are more likely to change behaviours when they see others doing it (social proof) and when nudges feel casual, not forced.
Key takeaway: Embedding gentle nudges into workplace routines normalizes wellbeing habits without employee resistance.
7. Small Wellness Wins Create Big Habit Shifts
Source: Observations from wellness design practices and employee behaviour studies

Why it matters: Mini daily achievements (like drinking enough water, taking breaks) are more sustainable and motivating than large programs.

Key takeaway: Micro-wins should be celebrated and made visible to sustain long-term wellness adoption.
6. Mood Tracking Builds Self-Awareness and Resilience
Source: Notes on Mood Tracker / Energy Ring concepts from behavioural science research
Why it matters: Visualising mood patterns helps individuals spot triggers early, regulate emotions, and seek timely support.
Key takeaway: Introducing simple, color-coded mood tools can foster a culture of mental clarity and emotional self-management.
8. Visual Management Enhances Wellness Visibility
Source: Inspired by Lean and Agile principles + wellness tech products
Why it matters: When emotional wellbeing is made visible through simple dashboards (colour codes, heatmaps), teams feel more accountable and aligned.
Key takeaway: Visual management of wellness metrics can normalize conversations around mental health at work.
9. Wellness Experiments Empower Teams to Own Their Wellbeing
Source: Notes on Wellness Playbooks and Experiment Modules (Kaizen Methodology influences)
Why it matters: Giving employees the autonomy to try mini wellness challenges and reflect on them boosts engagement and motivation.
Key takeaway: "Try, Reflect, Adopt" cycles make wellness initiatives more democratic and meaningful.
1. Growing Demand for Scalable Wellbeing Tools
Source: Secondary research conversations + industry trend analysis
Why it matters: In a world shifting to hybrid and remote models, HRs are seeking SaaS platforms that offer scalability, efficiency, and adaptability.
Key takeaway: Wellness tools need to be cloud-based, modular, and customisable for modern workforce needs.
2. Transparency Over Secrecy Drives Higher Engagement
Source: Notes from country comparisons — Denmark, New Zealand, Finland
Why it matters: These countries consistently rank highest in global employee wellbeing indexes (like World Happiness Report, OECD Better Life Index).
Key takeaway: Building transparent, accountable wellbeing policies (not secretive or superficial ones) is crucial to boost employee trust.
3. AI and Real-Time Analytics Are the Future of Workplace Wellness
Source: Research from practices in Denmark and Finland; notes on ML for predicting health risks
Why it matters: Leading countries are already leveraging AI to proactively identify burnout risks, enabling early interventions.
Key takeaway: Integrating real-time analytics and predictive health models will soon become standard, not optional.
4. Productivity and Wellbeing Are Deeply Connected
Source: Industry whitepapers + BreatheBoard internal research discussions
Why it matters: Companies that invest in employee wellbeing observe measurable improvements in team performance and goal achievement.
Key takeaway: Positioning wellness as a business performance driver (not just a “feel good” initiative) makes stronger business cases to leadership.
5. Normalise Positive Behaviours Through Micro Nudges
Source: Book – The Art of Thinking Clearly (concepts: Micro-Nudges, Social Proof Herding)
Why it matters: People are more likely to change behaviours when they see others doing it (social proof) and when nudges feel casual, not forced.
Key takeaway: Embedding gentle nudges into workplace routines normalizes wellbeing habits without employee resistance.
7. Small Wellness Wins Create Big Habit Shifts
Source: Observations from wellness design practices and employee behaviour studies

Why it matters: Mini daily achievements (like drinking enough water, taking breaks) are more sustainable and motivating than large programs.

Key takeaway: Micro-wins should be celebrated and made visible to sustain long-term wellness adoption.
6. Mood Tracking Builds Self-Awareness and Resilience
Source: Notes on Mood Tracker / Energy Ring concepts from behavioural science research
Why it matters: Visualising mood patterns helps individuals spot triggers early, regulate emotions, and seek timely support.
Key takeaway: Introducing simple, color-coded mood tools can foster a culture of mental clarity and emotional self-management.
8. Visual Management Enhances Wellness Visibility
Source: Inspired by Lean and Agile principles + wellness tech products
Why it matters: When emotional wellbeing is made visible through simple dashboards (colour codes, heatmaps), teams feel more accountable and aligned.
Key takeaway: Visual management of wellness metrics can normalize conversations around mental health at work.
9. Wellness Experiments Empower Teams to Own Their Wellbeing
Source: Notes on Wellness Playbooks and Experiment Modules (Kaizen Methodology influences)
Why it matters: Giving employees the autonomy to try mini wellness challenges and reflect on them boosts engagement and motivation.
Key takeaway: "Try, Reflect, Adopt" cycles make wellness initiatives more democratic and meaningful.
1. Growing Demand for Scalable Wellbeing Tools
Source: Secondary research conversations + industry trend analysis
Why it matters: In a world shifting to hybrid and remote models, HRs are seeking SaaS platforms that offer scalability, efficiency, and adaptability.
Key takeaway: Wellness tools need to be cloud-based, modular, and customisable for modern workforce needs.
2. Transparency Over Secrecy Drives Higher Engagement
Source: Notes from country comparisons — Denmark, New Zealand, Finland
Why it matters: These countries consistently rank highest in global employee wellbeing indexes (like World Happiness Report, OECD Better Life Index).
Key takeaway: Building transparent, accountable wellbeing policies (not secretive or superficial ones) is crucial to boost employee trust.
3. AI and Real-Time Analytics Are the Future of Workplace Wellness
Source: Research from practices in Denmark and Finland; notes on ML for predicting health risks
Why it matters: Leading countries are already leveraging AI to proactively identify burnout risks, enabling early interventions.
Key takeaway: Integrating real-time analytics and predictive health models will soon become standard, not optional.
4. Productivity and Wellbeing Are Deeply Connected
Source: Industry whitepapers + BreatheBoard internal research discussions
Why it matters: Companies that invest in employee wellbeing observe measurable improvements in team performance and goal achievement.
Key takeaway: Positioning wellness as a business performance driver (not just a “feel good” initiative) makes stronger business cases to leadership.
5. Normalise Positive Behaviours Through Micro Nudges
Source: Book – The Art of Thinking Clearly (concepts: Micro-Nudges, Social Proof Herding)
Why it matters: People are more likely to change behaviours when they see others doing it (social proof) and when nudges feel casual, not forced.
Key takeaway: Embedding gentle nudges into workplace routines normalizes wellbeing habits without employee resistance.
7. Small Wellness Wins Create Big Habit Shifts
Source: Observations from wellness design practices and employee behaviour studies

Why it matters: Mini daily achievements (like drinking enough water, taking breaks) are more sustainable and motivating than large programs.

Key takeaway: Micro-wins should be celebrated and made visible to sustain long-term wellness adoption.
6. Mood Tracking Builds Self-Awareness and Resilience
Source: Notes on Mood Tracker / Energy Ring concepts from behavioural science research
Why it matters: Visualising mood patterns helps individuals spot triggers early, regulate emotions, and seek timely support.
Key takeaway: Introducing simple, color-coded mood tools can foster a culture of mental clarity and emotional self-management.
8. Visual Management Enhances Wellness Visibility
Source: Inspired by Lean and Agile principles + wellness tech products
Why it matters: When emotional wellbeing is made visible through simple dashboards (colour codes, heatmaps), teams feel more accountable and aligned.
Key takeaway: Visual management of wellness metrics can normalize conversations around mental health at work.
9. Wellness Experiments Empower Teams to Own Their Wellbeing
Source: Notes on Wellness Playbooks and Experiment Modules (Kaizen Methodology influences)
Why it matters: Giving employees the autonomy to try mini wellness challenges and reflect on them boosts engagement and motivation.
Key takeaway: "Try, Reflect, Adopt" cycles make wellness initiatives more democratic and meaningful.

Personas

The persona were finalised based of the interviews and observations.

The Self-Aware Supporter

Aditi Rao

Hobbies: Journaling, Mandala Art

Punch-out Time: 6:00 PM

Performance Score: 8.2/10

I want to get better — if I have the right tools to track my mental health.

The Burnt-Out Skeptic

Kunal Mehra

Hobbies: None

Punch-out Time: 10:30 PM

Performance Score: 5.8/10

“I don’t have time for all this mental health stuff. I just need to finish my work.”

The Purpose-Driven HR

Neha Joshi

Hobbies: Reading productivity books, Yoga

Punch-out Time: 6:30 PM

Performance Score: N/A (Admin Role)

“I want people to love coming to work — not dread it.”

Customer Journey Maps

Individual Customer Journey Maps were created and later systems level CJM was formed for analysing the pain points.

The Customer Journey Map of Self-Aware Supporter
Let's peek into Aditi's day at work
The Customer Journey Map of Burnout Skeptic
Let's peek into Kunal's day at work
The Customer Journey Map of The Silent Supporter
Let's peek into Neha's day at work
The Customer Journey Map of Self-Aware Supporter
Let's peek into Aditi's day at work
The Customer Journey Map of Burnout Skeptic
Let's peek into Kunal's day at work
The Customer Journey Map of The Silent Supporter
Let's peek into Neha's day at work
The Customer Journey Map of Self-Aware Supporter
Let's peek into Aditi's day at work
The Customer Journey Map of Burnout Skeptic
Let's peek into Kunal's day at work
The Customer Journey Map of The Silent Supporter
Let's peek into Neha's day at work
The Customer Journey Map of Self-Aware Supporter
Let's peek into Aditi's day at work
The Customer Journey Map of Burnout Skeptic
Let's peek into Kunal's day at work
The Customer Journey Map of The Silent Supporter
Let's peek into Neha's day at work

System-Level Journey Map

Lack of personal productivity insights (Aditi)

No burnout monitoring or collaborative analytics (Kunal)

No wellbeing awareness or team pulse (Neha)

No shared language for team wellbeing

No proactive burnout detection

Productivity is measured, wellbeing isn’t

Where BreatheBoard Breaks Away

While traditional wellness tools focus on top-down initiatives, BreatheBoard empowers teams with real-time insights, micro-actions, and self-driven wellbeing experiments for lasting impact.

Existing Corporate Wellness Tools

BreatheBoard

Generic wellbeing tips with little customisation

Behavioural science-backed prompts tailored to team mood & fatigue levels

Focus heavily on annual surveys

Focus on daily micro-momentum and real-time nudges

Siloed wellbeing programs, separate from workflow

Integrated nudges inside daily team operations (no context switching)

Minimal feedback loops (only yearly reports)

Continuous feedback with micro-check-ins and wellness experiments

Static, one-size-fits-all modules

Adaptive modules that evolve based on team needs and behavioral signals

Screen 1: Home Dashboard – Your Team’s Wellness Pulse at a Glance

Tune Into Team Energy Before It Turns Into Fatigue

See what's driving team energy and momentum

Showcase small wins and promote healthy competition

Track engagement and emotional safety

Investigate missed deadlines and wellbeing links

Designed to foster daily emotional awareness and action. The personalized greeting primes users positively (emotional priming), and the snapshot encourages routine check-ins (habit loops). Visual management of wellness (like a "status board") normalizes wellbeing conversations at work.

Highlights positive behavior patterns and micro-wins, inspired by Social Proof Nudging. Celebrating active participation motivates others to join wellness initiatives (because people imitate observed success).

Regular 1:1s are crucial for psychological safety. This module supports Trust Building Mechanisms—ensuring managers maintain open dialogue, a key predictor of team wellbeing.

Cognitive overload often shows early warning signs through work delays. This card proactively flags such delays, connecting performance metrics with wellness interventions (wellness-performance integration from secondary research).

Year-on-Year Wellness Trends: Measure progress, adapt strategies

Longitudinal tracking identifies patterns, making wellness measurable (important for leadership buy-in). Transparent tracking was a key driver in countries with highest employee wellbeing.

Timely Nudges to Protect Energy and Momentum

Real-time notifications create Just-In-Time Interventions. Reminders about upcoming audits (stressors) and mood dip alerts allow proactive support before burnout or disengagement spirals.

Quick snapshot of emotional climate

Simple, universal emotion indicators lower the cognitive load to interpret complex data. Color-coded mood ratings reinforce emotional self-awareness and encourage preventive action.

Screen 2: Team Insights – Burnout Risk & Energy Rhythms

Decode Emotional Patterns and Surface Hidden Risks

Quick Action Buttons: “View Micro Trends”, “Schedule Follow-up”, etc.

Integrating instant micro-actions supports the Action-Trigger-Ability model from BJ Fogg. Reducing the effort between insight and action drives timely interventions and higher manager participation rates compared to passive report-reading.

Energy Flow by Hour Visualisation inspired by Daniel Pink "When"

Hourly energy mapping was inspired by Daniel Pink’s "When", which emphasizes biological energy rhythms in daily productivity. Visualizing team peak and dip hours empowers leaders to plan critical tasks during "high engagement windows" and avoid overloading teams during natural slumps.

Burnout Signal Alert Bar

Behavioral science suggests pre-emptive nudges are more effective than reactive interventions (BJ Fogg’s Tiny Habits model). A bright, persistent banner informs users two weeks ahead of potential risk spikes, framing it as a "manageable adjustment" rather than a "crisis response."

Screen 3: Peer Recognition – Powering a Culture of Appreciation

Fuel Connections, Celebrate Contributions

Surface Imbalances to Promote Fair Visibility

Highlighting recognition gaps (e.g., cross-team imbalance, blind spots) brings unconscious biases to light — inspired by research from Google’s Project Aristotle on psychological safety and fair acknowledgment across teams. Visibility drives a more equitable culture.

Make Silent Signals Visible to Catalyse Engagement

Spotting "Silent Teams" aligns with Behavioral Design principles (Richard Thaler) — where making invisible behaviors visible helps drive course correction. Recognizing low activity gently encourages leadership to foster a culture of appreciation in overlooked groups.

Screen 4 Action Centre – Turn Insights into Impact

From Insight to Action: Nudges That Build a Stronger Culture

Design a High-Impact Daily Flow

Quick Actions at the top help admins intervene precisely—nudging teams toward better focus, energy, and wellbeing.

Keep Progress Visible, Always Actionable

'Due Today' and 'Follow-up Scheduler' sections surface pending actions contextually, reducing decision fatigue.

Turn Small Wins into Big Momentum

Micro-wins are highlighted to prime users with early success signals, boosting confidence and motivation.

Make Wellness Sprints a Team Habit

Ongoing Modules use progress markers and nudges to encourage micro-habit formation across teams.

This case study emphasizes strategic insights and final outputs to avoid repetition of the detailed process shown in my earlier projects. Curious about my full design workflow? I'd be happy to share it — feel free to reach out! at rutujakanderkar23@gmail.com :)

rutuja.kandarkar

BreatheBoard

Initial Research Takeaways: Informing Design Priorities

From 3 Books, 5 Articles, and 40+ Post-its to 10 Actionable Insights

1. Growing Demand for Scalable Wellbeing Tools

2. Transparency Over Secrecy Drives Higher Engagement

3. AI and Real-Time Analytics Are the Future of Workplace Wellness

4. Productivity and Wellbeing Are Deeply Connected

5. Normalise Positive Behaviours Through Micro Nudges

7. Small Wellness Wins Create Big Habit Shifts

6. Mood Tracking Builds Self-Awareness and Resilience

8. Visual Management Enhances Wellness Visibility

9. Wellness Experiments Empower Teams to Own Their Wellbeing

Personas

The Self-Aware Supporter

Aditi Rao

The Burnt-Out Skeptic

Kunal Mehra

The Purpose-Driven HR

Neha Joshi

Customer Journey Maps

The Customer Journey Map of Self-Aware Supporter

Let's peek into Aditi's day at work

The Customer Journey Map of Burnout Skeptic

Let's peek into Kunal's day at work

The Customer Journey Map of The Silent Supporter

Let's peek into Neha's day at work

System-Level Journey Map

Where BreatheBoard Breaks Away

Existing Corporate Wellness Tools

BreatheBoard

Behavioural science-backed prompts tailored to team mood & fatigue levels

Focus on daily micro-momentum and real-time nudges

Integrated nudges inside daily team operations (no context switching)

Continuous feedback with micro-check-ins and wellness experiments

Adaptive modules that evolve based on team needs and behavioral signals

Screen 1: Home Dashboard – Your Team’s Wellness Pulse at a Glance

Tune Into Team Energy Before It Turns Into Fatigue

See what's driving team energy and momentum

Showcase small wins and promote healthy competition

Track engagement and emotional safety

Investigate missed deadlines and wellbeing links

Year-on-Year Wellness Trends: Measure progress, adapt strategies

Timely Nudges to Protect Energy and Momentum

Quick snapshot of emotional climate

Screen 2: Team Insights – Burnout Risk & Energy Rhythms

Decode Emotional Patterns and Surface Hidden Risks

Quick Action Buttons: “View Micro Trends”, “Schedule Follow-up”, etc.

Energy Flow by Hour Visualisation inspired by Daniel Pink "When"

Burnout Signal Alert Bar

Screen 3: Peer Recognition – Powering a Culture of Appreciation

Fuel Connections, Celebrate Contributions

Surface Imbalances to Promote Fair Visibility

Make Silent Signals Visible to Catalyse Engagement

Screen 4 Action Centre – Turn Insights into Impact

From Insight to Action: Nudges That Build a Stronger Culture

Design a High-Impact Daily Flow

Keep Progress Visible, Always Actionable

Turn Small Wins into Big Momentum

Make Wellness Sprints a Team Habit