Problem
The supply chain management team faced challenges with the existing Supply Chain Scorecard solution. Multiple Power BI reports led to inconsistencies and inaccuracies in reporting, impacting decision-making. The lack of data standardization created risks and confusion. Moreover, the previous Summary page limited users to viewing only one metric at a time and hindered their ability to compare metrics. These limitations called for improvements to optimize data accuracy, streamline reporting, and enable better analysis for informed decision-making.
Process
To address the challenges and enhance the Supply Chain Scorecard Summary page, several key improvements were implemented:
Multiple KPI Card Selection: The redesigned Summary page allowed users to select multiple KPI cards at a time. Each selected KPI card displayed a stacked trend chart vertically, enabling users to easily compare and analyze the performance of different metrics. This enhancement empowered supply chain managers and leadership to gain valuable insights into how various metrics influenced each other, facilitating better decision-making.
Ranking Information: In response to the need for ranking information, the KPI cards were enhanced to display the ranking position of each distribution center. Users could click on the ranking information to open a side drawer presenting the full ranking details of all facilities. This functionality provided supply chain leaders with instant visibility into their performance relative to other centers, fostering healthy competition and driving improvement.
Improved Design and Lowe's Backyard Design System Alignment: The Summary page was updated to align with the Lowe's Backyard Design System, ensuring a consistent and cohesive visual language throughout the platform. By adhering to established design standards, the redesigned page provided a familiar and intuitive user experience for the target audience.
Throughout the development, key stakeholders were involved:
UX Design: You served as the primary designer, leading the visual and UX aspects of the project. A Lead Designer provided valuable feedback throughout the process.
Product Management: The Product Manager played a crucial role in defining requirements and ensuring that the solution aligned with the overall product vision. Their insights and inputs influenced the final outcome of the Summary page redesign.
Engineering: The Engineering Lead provided valuable feedback on the technical feasibility of the proposed enhancements. Collaboration with the engineering team ensured a seamless implementation of the improvements.
The redesign of the Summary page was guided by key user insights:
Users expressed a need to compare multiple metrics over time. Initial attempts to display multiple metrics in a single chart with a legend resulted in confusion and visual clutter. To address this, the decision was made to stack the trend charts vertically. This approach provided clarity by clearly associating each chart with its respective metric, improving understanding and reducing cognitive load.
The project followed a structured and iterative process:
User Research and Requirements Gathering: Interviews were conducted with users and the Product Manager to deeply understand the challenges and gather requirements. User journey maps were created to visualize how the Summary page could support the needs of executive leadership and facility managers.
Wireframing and Testing: Low-fidelity wireframes were developed in a collaboration tool, Figjam, to align with the identified user journeys. These wireframes were tested with Product Managers and users to ensure they met the requirements and addressed the pain points effectively.
High-Fidelity Mockup and Approval: Based on the validated wireframes, a high-fidelity mockup was designed. This mockup was shared with business users and the Product Manager for their input and approval, ensuring alignment with expectations and requirements.
Handoff and Collaboration with Engineering: A handoff meeting was conducted with the Engineering team to present the changes and provide clarification. Any questions or concerns from the Engineering team were addressed to ensure smooth implementation.
By following this comprehensive process, the redesigned Summary page successfully addressed the shortcomings of the previous design, aligning with user needs and business requirements.
Iterations
Throughout the project, various ideas and concepts were tested and iterated upon to ensure an optimal solution:
Initial Ideas and Concepts:
Adding multiple metric trends to a single trend chart: This concept was tested with users, and it was discovered that having more than two y-axes on a single chart caused confusion. As a result, this approach was reassessed and refined.
Ranking view as a modal: A modal view for ranking information was initially explored. However, testing revealed that this approach disrupted the user's flow and hindered their ability to view other metric data simultaneously.
Iteration and Refinement:
Multiple metric types in a single trend chart: It was expected that users would want to have multiple metric types in a single chart, but testing revealed issues with the y-axis and confusion for different numerical types. This finding led to an iteration to optimize the clarity and comprehension of the trend charts.
Ranking information presentation: The original idea of a modal for ranking information was reconsidered based on user feedback. Testing revealed that users wanted to understand their ranking and immediately start analyzing the reasons behind it. By keeping the ranking list visible at the same time as other information, users were able to achieve this seamlessly.
Evolving Problem-Solving Approach:
The iterative process involved understanding and addressing the needs of two distinct personas: executive leadership and individual facility managers. While initially treating the request for facility rankings as the same for both personas, further exploration uncovered slightly different motivations. By handling and testing the designs separately, ensuring that leadership could grasp the entire network performance and facility managers could understand and act upon relevant data, an effective solution was achieved.
This iterative process was further supported by the refinement of designs from low-fidelity Figjam wireframes to high-fidelity designs. The high-fidelity designs focused on fine-tuning the interaction design, visual aesthetics, and overall user experience. These high-fidelity designs played a vital role in gaining final approvals and ensuring alignment with the expectations of stakeholders.
By embracing a user-centered design approach and being receptive to user feedback throughout the design iterations, the team successfully refined the interface and achieved a solution that effectively addressed the distinct needs of the personas, enhancing the overall user experience.
Final Design
The updated Summary page addresses the limitations of the previous design by enabling users to compare multiple KPI metrics and rank facilities.
Consolidated supply chain reporting into a single source of truth eliminates reliance on multiple Power BI reports.
Standardized data sourcing and calculations ensure accuracy and consistency.
Key features include the ability to select and compare multiple KPI cards with vertically stacked trend charts, providing a comprehensive view of supply chain performance.
Inclusion of ranking information within KPI cards allows quick identification of top-performing facilities and areas for improvement.
Design adheres to the Lowe's Backyard Design System, ensuring a consistent and intuitive visual language.
Validated through extensive user testing with positive feedback from over 15 users.
Impact
The redesigned Summary page has brought significant measurable results and positive impact to the business:
Depreciation of Power BI Reports: The implementation of the updated Summary page resulted in the successful deprecation of over 20 Power BI reports. This reduction in the number of reports not only saved time for Data Analysts who previously maintained them, but also increased the efficiency of leadership in accessing and responding to data.
Enhanced Data Accuracy and Efficiency: The consolidated supply chain reporting on the Summary page as a single source of truth improved data accuracy and integrity. This accuracy facilitated better communication between teams and leaders, increasing overall efficiency in decision-making processes.
Agility in Analyzing Rankings: Assumptions about the ranking feature were iteratively tested and adjusted based on user feedback. Initially designed as a separate modal experience, it was found that users needed to see the ranking information next to the rest of the data to better understand and analyze their rankings. This adjustment allowed users to efficiently identify the factors influencing their rankings and make effective improvements.
User Satisfaction and Efficiency: Users have echoed positive feedback, expressing their satisfaction with the modern experience provided by the updated Summary page. They appreciate having a single source of truth for all relevant data, allowing for more efficient decision-making. The improved data accuracy and streamlined communication contribute to their ability to make better-informed decisions in a timely manner.
These measurable results and positive user feedback highlight the significant impact of the redesigned Summary page on the business operations. Through the deprecation of Power BI reports, enhanced data accuracy, improved analytics capabilities, and increased user satisfaction, the redesigned Summary page has successfully empowered the organization to make more informed decisions and streamline essential processes.