Search filter function Sinccera
Sinccera is a project portfolio management (PPM) platform that aims to enhance the development of complex systems and products.
As a Product Designer at Sinccera, my challenges were to improve the search filter experience and streamline the management of squads, projects, products, and clients.
I have omitted confidential information from this case study to comply with my confidentiality agreement. I translated the texts on the screens from Portuguese to English for reference.
The challenge
Sinccera's customer service area has received numerous complaints regarding the interface and search filter experience. Users have reported the following issues:
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Difficulty viewing and reading texts in the search filter.
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Small click area, requiring precise clicking inside the checkbox.
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Limited scroll area for certain topics, resulting in a smaller number of items displayed at a time.
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Inconvenient access to the Release feature, despite its frequent use by the management team.
Given this feedback, my challenge was to develop a new solution for the search filter that addresses all the concerns raised by the users.
Discover
User interviews
The research objective aimed to comprehend customers' pain points and needs regarding the search filter. In collaboration with the UX Research team, we developed the interview script and determined the user profiles to be recruited, which included:
Leaders and the Agile team
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Responsible for organizing priorities and monitoring project development to identify any task impediments.
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Frequency of use: daily
Developers
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Responsible for filtering and managing their own tasks.
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Frequency of use: monthly
These user profiles were selected to gather insights from different perspectives and ensure a comprehensive understanding of the search filter's usability and effectiveness.
The most relevant insights reported by users while using the search filter were as follows:
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The limited space inside each item affected the readability of the texts.
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The click area was too small, requiring precise clicking inside the checkbox or radio button.
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Some topics had a small scroll area, resulting in fewer items being displayed at a time.
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Leaders and the agile team frequently used the Release feature but found the access to this function to be unclear.
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Some users expressed the need to hold meetings with new team members to guide them on how to effectively filter tasks in Sinccera.
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Some users struggled to associate icons with the titles they represented.
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Some users had difficulty recognizing the abbreviated text written in the tags.
These insights provided valuable information to address the pain points and improve the usability of the search filter in Sinccera.
Desk research
During our desk research, we identified several competitors and sources of inspiration for Sinccera, including Octane, Asana, Pipefy, Kanbanize, and Monday. Here are some key findings from our study:
Monday
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The functionality showcases filter options in columns, such as Name, Groups, Status, and Date. When a user selects an item, it scrolls down and becomes highlighted. To deselect, the user needs to click on it again.
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Users have the option to save the search filter for future use.
Pipefy
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The search filter is presented in a large column, allowing users to easily view all the necessary information.
Kanbanize
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When a search filter is activated, the header indicates a notification that shows the number of items selected.
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Users can save the search filter and share it with other users.
These insights from competitors and inspirations can serve as valuable references to enhance Sinccera's search filter functionality and improve the overall user experience.
The image showcases examples of filters from Sinccera's competitors, including Monday, Pipefy, and Kanbanize.
Define
After conducting our discovery phase, we identified and prioritized the macro-problems related to the search filter based on their relevance, as determined by our research.
The small width and height of the search filter make it challenging to read the displayed information.
Projects and Releases are the most frequently used categories, and users face difficulties in accessing them due to the excessive number of clicks required.
Users struggle to easily recognize icons and tags, as some titles repeat the same icons, leading to confusion and difficulty in distinguishing between different elements.
Some icons and tags may appear disabled due to their gray color.
Some users encounter difficulty when attempting to close the filter because the only available action is clicking on the X icon.
Develop
Co-creation
At Sinccera, we have a Design System called Orbit, which I utilized to create the new search filter. I generated multiple versions of the search filter and conducted design critiques with other designers to gather insights and engage in co-creation. Subsequently, we selected the most promising version to present to the development team, seeking their input on technical feasibility and gathering additional feedback. Finally, I conducted user testing with active Sinccera users to evaluate the final version.
Some examples of wireframes developed for the search filter.
Usability testing
In collaboration with the UX Research team, the purpose of the usability testing was defined as validating the new search filter and gathering additional insights. Active clients were recruited to participate in the testing process.
Key insights provided by the users were as follows:
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The new interface was perceived as intuitive, more organized, and easier to use.
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Users appreciated the easy access to the Releases feature, which reduced the number of clicks required.
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The search bar was found to be convenient and enhanced the overall user experience.
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Some users suggested separating Issue Types by levels, such as Demand, Deployable, and Operational.
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There was a recommendation to implement a feature allowing the sharing of filters through a link.
These insights from the usability testing helped validate the effectiveness of the new search filter and provided valuable input for further improvements.
.The image displays the selected option for the usability tests
The image showcases the usability test of the search filter conducted through Google Meeting.
Deliver
After conducting a series of usability tests, I made the final adjustments and selected the optimal version of the search filter to be included in the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This version was chosen based on its performance during the testing phase and its ability to effectively meet the needs of users.
The 'Release' feature has been relocated to the top menu.
The 'Issue types' feature has been divided into separate levels, namely Demand, Deployable, and Operational.
The 'My Filters' feature has been introduced, enabling users to create, edit, and share filters according to their preferences.