Introduction
Crewasis is a data science consultancy that unlocks the power of data by delivering game-changing insights for companies. They sought out our design team to tackle a crucial UX project for their company.
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The scope of the project was extensive, encompassing various aspects of data science workflow optimization. While we inherited a foundational client facing MVP created by a previous UX team, our mission was to refine, expand, and tailor it to meet the specific needs of Crewasis internal data scientists. This case study chronicles our research-driven journey towards achieving this vision.
Project Goal
Our primary goal was crafting an MVP of a backend portal exclusively designed for CREWASIS data scientists. The portal aimed to seamlessly manage internal/external communication, amplify collaboration on insights, enhance project tracking, and elevate the quality of client presentations.
Project Type
My Roles
3 week client MVP design sprint
4 person team
User Researcher
UX Designer
Client Communication Lead
Tools
Deliverables
Monday.com
Figma
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C&C Analysis
High Fidelity Prototype
Client Handoff
Exploration and Analysis
Delving into the realms of competitive and comparative analysis, we explored various platforms catering to data scientists and clients. Our findings steered the development of CREWASIS' MVP, emphasizing streamlined file organization, efficient collaboration, and future-ready features like shared file analytics.
File Management
For the Crewasis MVP, we examined essential features from common file management platforms, focusing on streamlined organization, efficient collaboration, and robust data security. Future considerations include features like shared file analytics and flexible file views.
Communication and Collaboration
We analyzed communication apps and collaboration platforms, pinpointing crucial features such as huddles, threaded comments, and direct messaging. These features, if integrated into the Crewasis portal, would facilitate seamless interactions between data scientists and stakeholders.
Customer Management
Our evaluation of customer management software highlighted the need for an intuitive dashboard, drawing inspiration from Keap for simplicity, Salesforce for organizational capabilities, and Monday.com for customer information management.
Our research has not only informed the development of the Crewasis MVP but also positioned it to remain competitive by embracing future-oriented features and functionalities.
User Interviews and Persona Development
We conducted user interviews with the CREWASIS team to understand their needs. Parva, a 25-year-old data scientist, emerged as our persona. His pain points included data clarity and integrating findings into a unified platform.
Parva
To paint a picture...
Parva, a recent Computer Science graduate, joined Crewasis to transform open-source data into client-ready insights. While he occasionally communicates directly with clients, most interactions come from the CEO or his Team Lead.
Throughout the process of ideating and sharing ideas on a Crewasis project sprint, Parva needs to make sure he is on the same page as the rest of his team members. Due to the information being in various places, Parva sometimes struggles to stay on task when ideating throughout a project sprint.
Defining the Problem
Parva needs a centralized platform to enhance collaboration, facilitate communication, and improve his access to feedback on weekly deliverables.
The Design Questions
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​How might we facilitate real time collaboration to help Parva stay on the team’s timeline?
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How might we create a way for Parva to track a project's progress?
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How might we guide Parva to the best methods of modeling data for clients?
Design Process
Crewasis had received an MVP for their client facing portal a year prior and we inherited the previous UX Team's Design System. In our design, you'll notice we utilized their color scheme and typography to maintain brand consistency for their internal portal.
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The information architecture was designed based on card sorting with the Crewasis data science team. We sketched multiple iterations and created wireframes, evolving into a mid-fi prototype.
Mid-Fi Prototype
Validation Through Testing
Once our midfi prototype was complete, we conducted a usability test with 8 participants and gave them 2 separate tasks to complete.
Task 1: Edit insight #1 for any project
Critical Takeaway:
On the project page, the intent was to have the user navigate to the insights page via the highlighted CTA. According to our users, the CTA was not obvious enough.
Task 2: View project progress
Critical Takeaway:
The copy on the highlighted CTA was not descriptive enough to show this is where users can find project progress.
Improving the Design
In response too the usability test results, we refined the portal, making the previously mentioned CTA's more prominent and enhancing the user experience. The project dashboard, insights editing, resource library, and profile pages were fine-tuned.
Below are a few notable improvements to the design.
Simplifying the Home Page
Based on feedback from the users that the home page was cluttered, we made the following changes:
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Relocated favorited insights to the left navigation and added an overlay so users can quickly navigate to Insights they are currently working on.
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Removed Client Profiles section as this information is not a priority to the data science team at this time.
Clarifying CTAs on the Project Page
The following changes were made to the Project Page as we refined our 2nd Iteration:
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Added clarifying copy to the CTA that navigates to the Project Progress.
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Moved the CTAs for Setup Documents, Project Insights, and Reports/Slides to a more prominent location, as these are used often by the Data Scientists and should be prioritized.
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Adjusted the spacing on the Tasks and Activity Feed sections, highlighting Project Updates and allowing the user to toggle between Activity Feed, Client Feedback, and Internal Feedback.
With every decision, we kept the initial problem and design questions in mind.
Here's a more specific look at how we solved for Parva's initial needs.
How might we facilitate real time collaboration to help Parva stay on the team's timeline?
Context:
Parva is tasked with delivering five insights to the client within a four-week sprint. After the first week, clients choose the insights they'd like Parva to elaborate on to address their initial business challenge.
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On the Insights Page, Parva has the ability to:
1. Easily access and edit insights in a centralized location.
2. Engage in direct communication with his internal team or the client regarding specific insights.
How might we create a way for Parva to track a project's progress?
Context:
Parva requires a streamlined approach to navigate his four-week project sprint while keeping collaborators informed about completed tasks and areas he might need assistance.
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On the Project Page, Parva has the ability to:
1. Monitor and track progress seamlessly throughout the four-week sprint. (Note: The checklist on the Progress Tracker overlay is a placeholder as the Crewasis team was refining their project timeline and process.)
2. Stay informed about project updates and create tasks for individual responsibilities.
How might we guide Parva to the best methods of modeling data for clients?
Context:
As a newcomer to Crewasis, Parva seeks to familiarize himself with best practices and recent examples of data models utilized by his colleagues. Historically, there hasn't been a centralized hub for this information and relevant data files.
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On the Resource Library Page, Parva has the ability to:
1. Examine files linked to ongoing or past client projects.
2. Explore a curated Suggested Resource folder containing diverse tools for data sourcing, modeling and other valuable resources.
3. Access Best Practices for Crewasis Data Scientists.​
Final Design
Next Steps
High-priority next steps included handing off MVP documents to CREWASIS. Below is a summary of what was proposed:
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Usability Testing: Conduct usability tests with the latest prototype to refine the user experience.
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Performance Metrics: Measure the platform's impact by establishing key performance indicators, such as task completion rates and progress tracking.
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User Onboarding: Implement user training sessions, especially focusing on resource sections.
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Administrative Role: Develop an admin role for efficient user management.
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Progress Tracking: Review and improve the progress tracking feature for consistency.
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Customization: Build out customization options like "add new" overlays.
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Scaling Strategy: Plan for platform scalability while prioritizing user needs.
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User Support: Establish a support system to address user issues promptly.
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Continuous Improvement: Create a roadmap for ongoing enhancements based on user feedback and evolving requirements.
These steps aim to enhance user satisfaction, streamline workflows, and ensure the portal's adaptability as Crewasis grows.
Conclusion
The Crewasis Data Scientist Portal project aimed to streamline data science workflows, addressing the unique challenges faced by data scientists like Parva. Our user-centered approach and iterative design process have set the stage for a more efficient and collaborative workspace, empowering data scientists to deliver exceptional insights.