Institution Profile Wizard

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I was the UX lead for this investment project to build a tool that would allow users to update the data for their Scopus institution profiles. I joined this special project from almost the very beginning and was dedicated to work on it for the initial concept phase through two development phases. I worked very closely with the development lead and product manager (there were 3 PMs over the course of the whole project). In terms of data and design this was the most complex project I have ever worked on, but the tool was delivered on time and on budget.

Background & concept research
Information architecture
Wireframing
Design
User testing

Background & concept research

Scopus institution profiles are generated algorithmically from documents. There are a variety of ways that errors happen. That same Scopus data is used by the agencies that rank universities so it is important that institutions can review and correct their data.

With this in mind, the product manager and I completed a “world tour” talking to a variety of institutions in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, China, and Japan. We collected information to better understand institutions’ problems and needs.

The product manager developed a business case, and received funding for this special project to create this tool.

Information architecture

Before beginning the design, I broke out the workflows in a diagram. There were a variety of ways we could have design the flow of this tool, but with the level of complexity and depth required for users to edit the data, we decided to build the wizard with 3 separate workflows.

Wireframing

I addition to the customer facing design, I had to create the screens that our Elsevier admins would use. I created these as more basic wireframes which the developers used to build site. I created additional wireframes for internal stakeholders to help clear up confusion when the business case was being built.

Design

During phase 1 of the project, I worked on design of the modify hierarchy workflow. I created a new design pattern for a drag and drop interface, and also introduced the concept of a user workspace that would allow users to manage and undo their changes. In phase 1, this hierarchy was not accessible, but we added changes in phase 2 including a number text field that made this workflow AA-level compliant.
Phase 2 included delivery of a complex modify profile workflow. Users were able to update details for their institution, and manage the “alternate names” and documents that were associated with the institution. The workspace appears in this workflow as well that aids users in tracking changes.

User testing

I followed up with user testing of the designs during at the end of phase 1 and during phase 2. The main challenge with testing this project was a very small user base as the tool was intended to be used by 1 or 2 people per institution. I worked with the sales team to recruit research managers for our sessions. Still testing uncovered many issues that I addressed in the final designs, and that also led to enhancements of the already launched designs.

User testing helped me refine the designs, based on this testing we decided to add an extra step in this workflow instead of using a tabbed interface.