Data Quality Dashboards

Internal feedback revealed that the initial homepage experience often felt empty, as it remained blank until users created workflows or functions. After validating these insights with customers and stakeholders, we set out to design tailored dashboard experiences. These dashboards not only improved the onboarding process by providing immediate value to new users but also demonstrated the platform's capabilities to executive stakeholders. They enabled detailed, shareable reports and played a key role in reimagining the overall customer experience.

The Hackathon: Innovating Data Management

In 2020, I participated in an Experian hackathon aimed at tackling data management challenges. Our team identified a major pain point: analysts and business users were relying on third-party tools like Power BI for dashboards, resulting in insecure data transfers, fragmented workflows, and higher costs.

We set out to create a unified dashboard within Aperture Data Studio that would allow users to seamlessly analyze and report on data quality within a secure environment. This innovation addressed customer needs and elevated the platform’s value proposition.

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Discovery and Validation

From Hackathon to Funded Development

After winning the hackathon, we secured funding to develop the concept further. Through internal research and interviews with customers across various industries, we validated the need for an integrated solution. Customers emphasized the importance of securely visualizing and sharing data quality insights without external tools, reducing risks and costs. Initial concepts were shared which had positive feedback, enough to proceed.

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Design and Development

Building a Flexible Dashboard Experience

Based on customer insights and competitor analysis, we designed an intuitive dashboard with key capabilities:

• Custom Charts: Users could tailor visualizations to their unique needs.
• Personalized Dashboards: Drag-and-drop widgets and flexible layouts allowed customization for specific workflows.
• Stakeholder Reports: Executives and business users could easily view high-level data quality reports, driving better decision-making.

To balance flexibility and simplicity, we implemented a responsive three-column grid system for desktop users, adapting seamlessly to smaller screens. The design required close collaboration with developers, balancing user needs and technical feasibility.

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Tailored Homepage

At the start of every user's journey with Aperture Data Studio there was a new homepage, which could be customized with off-the-shelf widgets or ones which they had created themselves from data grids and charts. We had various ideas on how to structure the homepage with ideas ranging from fixed blocks to completely dynamic and resizable areas. In the end we settled on a middle ground which was intuitive, but reasonably flexible. Using a drag and drop mechanism widgets could be added to the dashboard and then resized in accordance with a 3-column grid (on desktop resolution). The grid was responsive on other resolutions down to a single column. This required constant collaboration with development teams.

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Improving onboarding

While the above homepage was good for users once they had started to use the product wethought that the experience should be tailored for first time customers as well to help onboard them into the product.

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Charting with impact

In order to create a comprehensive consumer experience we needed to start to do some basic charting using the product. The customer interviews told us that currently they had to do that using a data visualisation tool such as PowerBI or Tableau. So we set out to explore this technically starting with a set criteria of what we needed both from an experience and a technical pointof view. We analysed several libraries and I founda library called AM Charts which became our choice. We prioritized core chart types and implemented AM Charts, enabling users to:

• Select chart types, assign data columns, and apply filters.
• Visualize high-level KPIs using scoreboard and gauge charts, addressing popular customer requests.
• Ensure brand consistency through a fixed color palette.

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Testing and Iteration

Prototyping and User Testing
Our initial prototypes, created in Figma, focused on chart creation, and drag-and-drop functionality for dashboard customization. During the first round of testing with five users, we uncovered challenges related to user expectations when adding or modifying widgets. Users also found the chart type selection as being the first thing they need to do before assigning data columns. We iterated on the design and conducted a second round of testing with another five users. The improvements were well received, and users found the dashboard more intuitive and flexible.

Throughout the testing process, we collaborated closely with developers to ensure that the final product was both technically feasible and aligned with user needs. Some compromises were necessary, but we ensured that the core functionality remained intact.

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Launching with Impact

The Aperture Data Studio Dashboard launched to widespread acclaim from internal stakeholders and customers. By integrating dashboards directly into the platform, we eliminated the need for costly third-party tools, enhanced data security, and streamlined workflows.

Key Outcomes

• Efficiency Gains: Reduced reliance on external tools, improving security and lowering costs.
• Increased Adoption: The dashboards drove a 20% increase in adoption through enhanced usability and functionality.
• Empowered Sales Teams: Sales could now instantly demonstrate the tool’s value without delving into technical complexities.

This project demonstrated the power of user-centered design, iterative testing, and cross-functional collaboration in delivering a product that transformed how customers manage and visualize their data. The dashboard continues to evolve, incorporating user feedback to deliver ongoing value.

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