Brand: ActBlue Technical Services

Project: Create a Report Builder

Role: Product design lead

Entities and ActBlue users were unable to collect particular data because they had to dig through a massive CSV report. It was very challenging to map different report types to the code that generates them due to the amount of meta-programming, and the way CSV request parameters were used.​

Goal: Make it easier for entities and ActBlue employees to gather specific data efficiently.

data gathering improvement

XFN COLLABORATION

From the beginning, I collaborated with cross-functional stakeholders such as marketing, EMs, PMs, engineers, outreach and the internal reporting team.

 
cross functional collaboration
 

Research

Survey Users – 500 responses:

  • Which AB features were necessary to your work this election cycle?​

  • Were you able to access your fundraising data?

 
data gathering research
 

Word bank – 100+ columns, filled with all sorts of data:

  • I analyzed all the columns we had​

  • Updated / removed unnecessary columns and/or columns with information that wasn’t valuable to our users

 
data gathering research and strategy
 

Ideation

During this stage I wire-framed a mobile-first, web-based approach. I made sure the report builder focused on the priorities of the user, which were to select only the necessary information.

 
data gathering ideation/strategy
 

visual design

I made sure the new components added to our design system were clean​, confirmative​, easy to navigate​ and trustworthy.

design system components
 

User interface

After a few iterations, our user interface became supportive, simple and interactive.

 
data gathering user interface
 

Data Gathering: I gave the user interface of the new report builder an emphasis on offering the right filters and only the necessary selections.

 
data gathering new user interface
 

validation

In order to validate my designs, I tested it with internal users. The results showed we were able to provide an optimized experience.

 
data gathering validation
 

Clickable prototype

After a few rounds of usability testing, and after iterating on the feedback we received, our new internal tool was ready to be launched.

Creating a new template within the new Report Builder tool

Generating a report, using a new date range

 

Delete a report with the option to undo this action

outcomes

We reduced CSV generation time from an average of 10.2 seconds to 2.4 seconds – getting entities their data faster and with fewer needed modifications​.

​We took the 100-column contributions CSV and allowed admins to choose relevant, pre-defined columns for custom reports. Flexible data exports allowed for easier compliance reporting, streamlined data insights, and less time spent whittling down a large data file.

 
data gathering outcomes