A User Interface Design Project
This was a project as a User Interface Design consultant for the multinational company Delaware. With a user-centered approach and continuous feedback, I faced challenges and got some interesting results. This case shows the positive impact of a well executed UI design on an automation and SAP platform. Following you can see the steps of the process, the challenges and results.
Design for Data and Graphics
Discussions around this aspect of design grew significantly in 2023 and, coincidentally, I had the opportunity to provide a redesign for a SAP Analytics interface for Delaware.
The biggest challenge in this case was understanding the needs to implement or not, each chart and table within the possibilities of visualisation of this information for users. This requires a careful choice that focuses on the quality of the content presented, going beyond the mere aesthetics of the design.
Another challenging aspect was to work within the company guidelines to maintain the visual identity of some interfaces that were already in use in the project.
Workflow
1 - Kick-Off and Ideation
In this stage, the most important aspect was to discover a point of convergence between user expectations and business objectives. After a series of meetings, we identified that the feature with the greatest potential for generating excellent results was the adaptation of dashboards within the current SAP system.
2 - Scope Definition
Next, we defined the project scope and created a product evolution plan. The client provided me with the key performance indicators (KPIs) that would help us understand the performance of the new screens and achieve the desired objectives.
3 - Information Architecture
To support this new system functionality, I created an information architecture board on Miro. The focus was on organizing the new information in a consistent manner to ensure intuitive access as the project progresses.
4 - Interface Design
Finally, I designed the interfaces to bring the function to life. We tested various interface solutions, navigation options, and designs, which were discussed with the client before moving on to the handoff stage.
For whom are we building?
Proto-persona
Sarah Almeida
Age: 35
Occupation: Marketing Manager
Company: XYZ Marketing Solutions
Profile
Sarah Johnson is an experienced marketing professional who has been working as a Marketing Manager at XYZ Marketing Solutions for the past five years. With a bachelor's degree in Marketing and a keen interest in data-driven decision-making, Sarah has developed a strong skill set in utilising analytics tools to drive marketing strategies.
Goals
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Enhance Data-driven Decision Making: Sarah's primary goal is to leverage SAP Analytics Data to enhance data-driven decision-making within her marketing team. She wants to ensure that all marketing strategies and campaigns are backed by accurate and actionable insights derived from data analysis.
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Effective Client Communication: As a marketing manager, Sarah often needs to present SAP Analytics Data to clients and stakeholders. Her goal is to effectively communicate the key findings, trends, and performance metrics in a visually compelling and easily understandable manner. She wants to ensure that the data presentations leave a lasting impact on the audience, enabling them to make informed business decisions.
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Drive Business Growth: Sarah's ultimate goal is to utilize SAP Analytics Data to drive business growth for both her company and its clients. By identifying patterns, opportunities, and areas for improvement through data analysis, she aims to develop marketing strategies that maximize ROI, increase customer engagement, and contribute to overall business success.
Brainstorming
During the brainstorming session, we brought the team together in meetings across Zoom and explored some ideas and concepts to enhance the SAP Analytics interface.
Some of the key ideas discussed included:
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Integrating advanced data visualization features.
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Improving the navigability and usability of the interface.
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Customizing dashboards to meet the specific needs of marketing managers.
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Integration with other existing tools and systems already in use by the team.
Co-creation Workshop
I have invited representatives of the different departments involved and key users to participate in the definition of the functionalities and features desired in the new interface. During the sessions, we explored some usage scenarios, collected feedback and refined the initial ideas. Some results of the workshop included:
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Identification of users' main tasks.
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Defining relevant metrics and KPIs to track performance.
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Prioritisation of resources based on needs and potential impact.
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Exploring opportunities for integration with current system tools.
Effort x Impact
Based on the workshop discussions, we created an idea menu, which consisted of an organized list of proposed functionalities and features for the SAP Analytics interface.
Each idea was distributed on the board and accompanied by a brief description and a preliminary estimate of effort and impact. This helped the team to have an overview of the available options and make less risky decisions about which ideas we should pursue in the MVP.
Prioritisation
To help prioritise ideas, we use a prioritisation matrix. In it, we evaluated and voted on each idea based on criteria such as impact on the user, alignment with business objectives and technical feasibility. This allowed us to identify the highest value ideas and better align decisions with the project objectives.
Data Center Architecture
Flow chart by client
Dashboards
The client's request was to create dashboards with quick access to the main epics and tasks.
It was also a priority to have sidebar navigation.
Collapse
On some occasions, the amount of information in graphics could require more screen space. That's why the collapsed menu also became a functional option.
Adaptation for more inclusive visualisation
Some information should prioritise the continuity of the visual pattern to avoid negative impacts on the user. This shows that colourful graphics are not always the best option.
Final lessons
Throughout the creation and redesign process of this integration and automation platform, several improvements were implemented with a user-centered approach, aiming for a more intuitive and inclusive experience. Based on user feedback, we identified crucial points to enhance usability and efficiency within the system.
One of the main goals of the redesign was to simplify the workflow by reducing the number of clicks required to complete tasks. This allowed users to carry out their activities faster and more efficiently, saving valuable time. By minimizing steps and optimizing navigation, we observed a significant improvement in user satisfaction.
Furthermore, by adopting inclusive layouts, we avoided the excessive use of brightly colored graphics without purpose, which could distract and confuse users. We prioritized clarity and simplicity in presenting information, maintaining visual consistency throughout the platform. This approach contributed to a more accessible and user-friendly experience for all users, regardless of their visual abilities.
Throughout the process, user feedback played a pivotal role in the project's evolution. Through usability testing, interviews, and research, we gained a better understanding of users' needs and expectations, identifying opportunities for improvement. Incorporating this feedback at every stage of the project allowed us to make informed decisions aimed at delivering an experience that truly meets users' demands.
In summary, the learnings from this UX case highlight the importance of involving users throughout the design process. By placing them at the center of decision-making, we were able to optimize the integration and automation platform, making it more intuitive, inclusive, and efficient. The reduction of clicks, adoption of inclusive layouts, and attentiveness to user feedback are key elements in creating a digital experience that adds value and provides satisfaction to end users."
