A Guided Admin Experience

The Professional v2 project was an exciting endeavor that brought together multiple teams to make the setup of complex events much easier.

Our main goals were to reduce the time it took to implement these events by 30% and enhance the overall product experience by increasing the Product Experience Index (PXi) by 15%.

PXi is an index score that primarily considers user sentiment around functionality and ease of use.

Setting up a complex event posed challenges, particularly for event administrators who were new to the task. It not only required a significant amount of time but also demanded a deep understanding of best practices and the necessary steps involved.

Defining the Event Setup Process

To tackle the problem, our first step was to clearly define the process of setting up an event. This helped us understand the key steps involved and identify areas where improvements were needed.

Prioritizing Problem Solving

We focused on identifying the most critical issues that needed to be addressed first. By analyzing pain points and bottlenecks, we could pinpoint the areas that were causing the longest delays in implementation.

"Create, Pitch, Critique" Sessions

We engaged stakeholders in "Create, Pitch, Critique" sessions to gather insights and ideas. This collaborative approach allowed stakeholders to share their understanding of the main problems and propose potential solutions.

Documentation for Problem Space

To facilitate discussions about the problem space, we created comprehensive documentation. This resource helped stakeholders gain a deeper understanding of the challenges at hand and provided a foundation for further ideation and decision-making. The documentation was made accessible in a quarterly plan project, ensuring transparency and keeping everyone updated on the project's progress.

Exploring Patterns

We conducted various group meetings to explore a wide range of patterns that could assist event administrators in taking the necessary steps for creating successful complex experiences. These patterns encompassed both event-level and module-level solutions, ensuring a holistic approach to addressing the challenges.

Collaboration with Product Teams

Working closely with product teams was crucial for aligning the project's goals with the overall product strategy. Through collaboration, we identified the specific problems that needed to be solved at both the event and module levels. This ensured that our solutions seamlessly integrated with the product and enhanced the overall user experience.

Ideation and Categorized Patterns

Based on categorized patterns, such as checklists, contextual help, recommended best practices, and previewing templates and work, the team embarked on the ideation process. Exploring these patterns through greyscale wireframes allowed for a deeper understanding of how they could be applied at different stages of the event setup process.

Concept Testing and Stakeholder Feedback

Quick concept testing provided valuable feedback from stakeholders, which led to the team focusing their efforts and design process on a dedicated page for an Event Setup Guide. This feedback-oriented approach ensured that the project aligned with the needs and preferences of the key stakeholders.

Wireframes and Prototypes

Continuing with wireframe iterations, the team developed two prototypes that would facilitate task-based usability testing. This iterative process helped refine the design and functionality, ensuring a user-centered approach.

Synthesizing Feedback

Using Dovetail we tagged and categorized the feedback.

Prioritization and Scope Management

Throughout the project, the team created numerous designs that tested well. However, some designs had to be set aside based on prioritization needs and project scope. This allowed the team to focus on the most impactful features and ensure timely delivery.

Lo-Fi version of what eventually led to higher fidelity design and testing.

Hi-Fi version of what was first implemented into production.

Results

1. Decreased Implementation Time: The project successfully reduced the workstream implementation time by 31%. This improvement was attributed to a better understanding of the order of operations and the implementation of a dedicated Event Setup Guide. By streamlining the process, event administrators required less training time to complete their tasks efficiently.

2. Collaboration and Support: The project involved collaboration with various teams and departments, including researchers and designers who played a crucial role in creating prototypes and supporting the design process. The collective effort and expertise contributed to the project's success.

Conclusion

The Professional v2 project was an exciting and collaborative endeavor that involved multiple teams and departments. Through the implementation of a dedicated Event Setup Guide and the exploration of categorized patterns, the project successfully decreased implementation time and improved the overall product experience. The prioritization of features, the development of lo-fi and high-fidelity designs, and the collaborative effort of individuals from various disciplines ensured a successful outcome. The reduced training time and the positive feedback from stakeholders stand as evidence of the project's effectiveness in addressing the challenges faced by novice event administrators.