Data visualisations and dashboards for trading and analytics
CHALLENGE
PROCESS
Brief analysis
Design and deliver dashboards within a single sprint of two weeks. This required one day for design and 5–10 days for development and testing. The first phase of the project focused on building the end-user experience. The second phase aimed to develop a tool that allowed users to create dashboards independently, without relying on developers.
User research
Design and deliver dashboards within a single sprint of two weeks. This required one day for design and 5–10 days for development and testing. The first phase of the project focused on building the end-user experience. The second phase aimed to develop a tool that allowed users to create dashboards independently, without relying on developers.
Competitive analysis
Design and deliver dashboards within a single sprint of two weeks. This required one day for design and 5–10 days for development and testing. The first phase of the project focused on building the end-user experience. The second phase aimed to develop a tool that allowed users to create dashboards independently, without relying on developers.
User journeys and flows
To ensure success, we identified two primary user groups: modelers and analysts. Modelers needed tools to build complex data visualizations, while analysts required simple, intuitive dashboards for data consumption. Understanding these divergent needs was critical to the project’s direction.
Wireframes
Wireframes were created to establish the architectural structure of the dashboards. These designs focused on grid layouts, breakpoints, card components, and default panel configurations. They served as the foundation for prototyping and development.
Heuristic evaluation of tools
Usability evaluations were conducted on both prototypes and third-party tools. These evaluations highlighted opportunities to streamline interactions, improve efficiency, and better align the interface with user expectations.
Double prototyping
Layout prototypes
We selected Highcharts as the data visualization provider due to its robust customization options. The first prototypes established the rules for layout, card design, and other foundational elements of the dashboard framework.
Dashboard prototypes
Usability evaluations were conducted on both prototypes and third-party tools. These evaluations highlighted opportunities to streamline interactions, improve efficiency, and better align the interface with user expectations.
Testing and partnering
User testing
Prototypes were tested in the UAT environment with both modelers and analysts. Feedback focused on fine-tuning UI details such as tooltips, chart markers, and conditional formatting. Iterations were implemented quickly to address user concerns.
Partnering with other teams
We partnered with another Cargill team working on an AI-powered chart-building tool. User testing and heuristic evaluations revealed that, while the tool was innovative, it lacked basic usability features.
Design report
A/B testing compared the AI tool with the QxC platform. The report concluded that the AI tool was technically impressive but not yet user-friendly. A recommendation was made to integrate the AI tool’s backend capabilities into the QxC framework while retaining its polished UI.
Roadmap proposal
A strategy was developed to merge the AI tool’s backend functionality into QxC without compromising the existing user experience. This approach ensured the platform remained consistent, familiar, and effective.
Metrics tracked over time
The QxC platform achieved an NPS score of 9/10, a testament to its success. User satisfaction remains high, and the team continues to track metrics to maintain and improve the platform over time.
Product showreel
Here’s a quick showcase of how one of the dashboards looks like.
HOW TO DEAL WITH CHALLENGES 101
The user is always right 🔥
If your tool is scoring 9/10 on NPS, you’re clearly onto something big. When users are flocking to it because of the brilliant UX and the customizable UI assets 🎨, it’s no longer just a tool—it’s a must-have solution.
Double down on that success, ride the momentum, and keep pushing boundaries to deliver even more. 💎🌍
Cheap and fast ≠ good. 🚫💸⚡
The platform team—an external crew to QxC—was working in parallel on a sister tool for dashboard creation. Their mission? To chase innovative solutions (which, let’s be honest, usually translates to “cheap and fast” for business stakeholders).
But innovation without quality? That’s just cutting corners. 🚀
