1. Challenge

I am a business analyst in an IT solution company and was recently assigned to revamp an existing  search page on a web application. The system owner feedback that the existing search was  inefficient in finding resources. There was a timeline given to redesign and launch the new search in  3 months.

2. Selection:

The tool that i have selected is a mindmapping tool. Search is a very interactive product used by  different types of users and there could be various reasons it wasn’t useful. Similarly, there could be  different performance indicators and envisions of how they like the search to be. Mind Mapping is  easy as it is visual, engaging, and a fast way to develop a common mind regarding the current  reality.

3. Application

Step 1, I gathered 20 system users from 5 different departments. I held a session involving each  department to use the search. Each of them were given time to think through and jot down what they  liked, what they didn’t like and give suggestions of new ideas in a sticky note.

Step 2, I gathered everyone in the same room and requested the users to paste their sticky note on  the board. The first member starts to paste, and the second one follows, pasting based on the  similarity of the inputs. It was arranged based on what they liked, what they didn’t like, and what they  needed for their business processes.

The tool was effective as it was easy for the participants to understand, helpful in establishing a  common ground of the objectives of the session and, useful in gathering data.

4. Insight

By applying the mindmapping tool, we identified three things i.e. what needs to be retained, what  needs to be changed, and the new functions that are needed to support the business processes.  And thus, getting a good understanding to define the design criteria.

Apart from that, we also picked out some issues that were easier to solve e.g. search taking awhile  to load. This could be proposed to the IT departments to upgrade the operating systems, and it  should be resolved in no time.

5. Approach

Another great tool I would consider is Data Visualisation. If there were more time, I would ask the  participants to participate in mapping a new user journey, and also draw up an ideal state of the  search interface. Perhaps, it could be that they enjoyed interacting on another interface, so that we  can draw up some inspiration on the search design and get a different result.

