Solutions Portal Onboarding
Creating intuitive and user-centered designs for scientific research software applications
Overview
The Breeding Service is one service in which JAX manages the physical colony of strains in our facility. JAX staff will take action on mice colonies based on customer requests or via milestones defined in the Statement of Work.
Design Prompt
The lead researcher at a bio-tech company (who has purchased a new breeding project with JAX) needs:
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A way to validate the initial project setup
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Onboard new team members who will be responsible for monitoring this project
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Track key breeding project milestones and progress
Role & Process
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During the hiring process, I was presented with a comprehensive design prompt
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The objective was to demonstrate my design philosophy, approach, core design principles, and effective visual and verbal communication skills
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The primary goal was to design an experience tailored to meet the specific goals of a researcher
Research
In any given project, my process begins with asking a few questions in order to define the problem:
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What are the main goals of this project?
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Who is the end-user of this product?
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In what context will they be using our product?
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What is the pain point that this product will address?
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Are there any similar products on the market and how will we create a better solution?
Generative Research
Secondary research was conducted on the topics of genomics and JAX Mice to gather market insights
Over 2,400 organizations in 68 countries rely on over JAX's 13,000 strains and research services
The JAX research teams focus on computational biology and bioinformatics
Questions to Consider
Are we looking at new customers or active customers?
New Customers
If we are targeting new customers, questions would focus to their current mice breeding process and what laboratory information management system (LIMS) is currently being used
Existing Customers
If we are targeting active customers, questions would focus on their experience with our current process and what challenges they might be facing
How are we with time?
Quick & Easy
Surveys: Can easily set up to gain insights from many users in a short period of time
We Have Some Time
Semi-structure interviews: We can ask users a few questions in order to gain insights into their wants, needs, and pain points
We Have A Lot of Time
Contextual Inquiry: Take the time to observe the user in their environment
Personas
Based on stakeholder interviews, these are the user personas most appropriate for this portal
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Initiates project
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Onboards team members
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Monitors project data and tracks readiness of mice colony
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Keeps track of timelines
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Primary collaboration between JAX and customer
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Primary customer contact and oversees timeline on JAX side
Understanding the User
When Larry the Lead initiates the project setup, they are working on various projects at the same time. As someone who is familiar with the original process of purchasing breeding projects with JAX, they are very tech savvy and knowledgeable in their respective field.
Larry's Priorities
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Initiate the long process of purchasing a new breeding project
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Quickly onboard team members
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Have a simple & efficient way of keep track of milestones and progress
Larry's Pain Points
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Being under a time constraint
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Not being aware of the breeding projects status
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Not keeping track of team members’ tasks
User Story
As a user, I want to set up a new breeding project through a centralized LIMs portal so that I can save time and manage the projects efficiently
Initiating Breeding Project Flow
Questions to Consider
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What type of tasks would they conduct?
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How often will they need to monitor the project?
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How will they keep track of progress?
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Is it automated?
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Will they have a continuous stream of communication with the JAX team? Daily? Weekly?
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Assumptions
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User has an account and has previously ordered mice with JAX
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User can view prices of colony options and add-ons
Wireframes
Low-fidelity wireframes were mocked up to represent the important features of this LIMs portal.
The dashboard would be considered the highlight of the breeding portal.
Some features on the dashboard include:
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User tasks
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Project milestones
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Project updates
Engagement Portal Dashboard
Engagement Portal Colony Management
Next Steps
01 Validate with Interviews
In order to ensure that the designs are going in the right direction, designs and assumptions should be verified by user interviews with various users such as scientists, project managers, and JAX customer service managers
02 Reiterate Designs
Depending on the results and insights obtained in the usability study, designs will need to be revised and high-fidelity wireframes should be created
03 Usability Study
Due to the complexity of the process of initiating a breeding project purchase, the initial project set up would need to be validated in order to ensure it provides a great user experience for the user
Reflection
Joining the JAX Team
After presenting this design prompt to a team that consisted of the UX team, lead developers, senior marketing manager, and senior business unit manager, I was able to move forward with this role. Unbeknownst to me, those present at the meeting would become my close colleagues with whom I collaborate on a daily basis.
The initial project I embarked upon was the breeding portal. Given the accuracy and progress of my research and designs for the design prompt, I utilized this information as a solid foundation.
JAX Portfolio
The following section showcases a selection of wireframes and deliverables crafted during my tenure as a UX Designer at Jackson Laboratory. These deliverables represent a glimpse into my design process and problem-solving approach within diverse projects.
Should you desire further insights or details on any specific deliverable or project, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm enthusiastic about discussing my experiences and contributions in greater depth.
