TLDR
The SQream platform offers an efficient solution for managing and analyzing massive datasets, harnessing advanced GPU-based technology to accelerate data processing and handle complex SQL queries with ease.
Through my role as a product designer and user researcher, I successfully achieved significant improvements in the KPIs. Specifically, I enhanced the adoption rate by 46%, decreased the action completion time by 35%, and raised the user satisfaction rate by 30%.
THE STARTING POINT
About the Product
The SQream platform provides a robust and efficient solution for managing and analyzing massive datasets, harnessing advanced GPU-based technology to accelerate data processing and deliver actionable insights. Designed to handle complex queries and vast amounts of data, SQream empowers businesses to unlock the full potential of their data, enabling faster, smarter decision-making.
*Since this project has not been deployed, I will refer to in-house employees, stakeholders, and design partners as 'users'.
The Challenge
The challenge of this project was to revamp the SQream Workbench, which was outdated, overly complex, and inefficient in its screen utilization. Initial user feedback and usability tests revealed that the existing design felt cluttered, hard to navigate, and didn’t make the most of available screen space. The goal was to create a modernized, user-friendly interface that not only improved screen usage but also provided a streamlined experience for writing and running SQL queries, as well as saving scripts for future job creation. The objective was to deliver a fresh, efficient, and relevant design that would enhance overall usability and engagement with the platform.
UX PROCESS
Goals and Research Methods
KPI
-
User Satisfaction Rate: Measure the percentage of users who rate the redesigned Workbench positively in terms of look and feel, clarity, and overall usability, with a focus on reducing mental overload during usability testing and surveys.
-
Action Completion Rate: Measure the time it takes for users to successfully write and run SQL queries, save scripts, and navigate the redesigned Workbench during usability testing.
-
Adoption Rate: Measure the percentage of users who adopt the redesigned platform as their primary tool for running queries and tests.
In-depth Interviews and Surveys
Interviews with users revealed that the existing Workbench design was seen as outdated, cluttered, and difficult to navigate. Users expressed frustration with the inefficiency of the interface, particularly around managing SQL queries and saving scripts for future use. They wanted a more intuitive and streamlined design that would enhance their ability to quickly write, test, and organize queries without feeling overwhelmed by unnecessary complexity. Additionally, many felt the screen space was not utilized effectively, making it harder to focus on key tasks.
Felt that the previous Workbench design was cluttered and inefficient, making it harder to write and manage SQL queries effectively.
Average score given by users in surveys for the clarity and usability of the current Workbench interface.
Agreed that the current Workbench did not utilize screen space effectively, leading to mental overload and reduced productivity.
Usability Testing
Usability testing sessions on the live platform revealed that participants required more time and clicks than expected to complete tasks. This highlighted inefficiencies in navigation and difficulties in locating key features within the dashboard.
User Flow
By creating a detailed user flow, I mapped out user goals, identified the most common actions, and prioritized which features should be prominent and which could take a backseat. These insights into how users interact with the Workbench guided my design decisions, resulting in a more intuitive and efficient experience that aligns with user needs and workflows
UI process
The Previous Design
UI process
The Final Result
The redesigned Workbench presents a new, flexible layout that allows users to open and close sections of the interface as needed, offering a more customizable workspace.
All key actions are now centralized in one place, making it easier for users to navigate and interact with the platform.
The updated design enhances the query execution process by enabling users to run queries across multiple resource pools instead of being limited to a single pool, greatly improving performance and flexibility.
With a modern interface, the new Workbench is more intuitive and efficient, offering a streamlined, user-friendly experience that reflects current best practices in data platforms.
To break it down:
-
Layout flexibility - The new layout introduces the ability to open and close sections within the Workbench, allowing users to tailor their workspace to their needs and focus on relevant tasks.
-
Centralized actions - All actions, such as writing, running, and saving SQL scripts, are now consolidated into a single, accessible location, reducing friction and improving task efficiency.
-
Enhanced query management - The upgraded resource management enables users to assign different resource pools to each query tab, providing greater control over query performance and system resources.
-
New look - A modern, streamlined refresh of the old design creates a sense of tidiness for users, making them feel more satisfied and excited about the change. The clearer, more intuitive design also reduces friction during the transition to the updated page.
All layout options
KPI Improvements
-
Adoption Rate: 76% of users transitioned to the redesigned Workbench as their primary tool for writing and running SQL queries, compared to low adoption of the previous version.
-
Task Completion Rate: Task completion time decreased by 35%, with users requiring fewer clicks to write queries, save scripts, and navigate the interface.
-
User Satisfaction: User survey scores for clarity, usability, and overall satisfaction improved from an average of 5.5/10 to 8.5/10, with 90% of users reporting reduced mental overload and a more intuitive experience.