Data & Analysis Page Redesign: Simplifying Navigation and Enhancing Data Access for Transit Operators

The Data & Analysis page was designed to support transit operators in combating human trafficking. However, several key issues hindered its effectiveness:

• Inefficient Navigation: Although the page included clear categories, the lack of filtering and excessive scrolling slowed navigation, especially when time was critical.
• Slow Data Access: Operators spend too much time searching for information, delaying their ability to respond to urgent situations.
• Time Constraints: Transit operators needed quick, easy access to critical data, but the existing design prevented this.

These challenges revealed the need for a more efficient and user-friendly interface. Our team was tasked with redesigning the page to improve data accessibility, streamline navigation, and empower operators to take swift, informed action in high-pressure situations.

Approach:

• Stakeholder Interviews: Conducted interviews with key stakeholders to uncover pain points and inefficiencies in the current design.
• Secondary Research: Conducted extensive secondary research on human trafficking awareness to better understand the informational needs of transit operators and align the page's content with PACT's mission.

Findings:

• Operators needed quicker access to critical data to respond in time-sensitive situations.
• Information lacked precise categorization, making it difficult to identify relevant resources.
• The cluttered interface slowed navigation and increased cognitive load, especially in high-stress environments.

This phase centered on brainstorming and defining the key features that would directly address the operators' needs and the business goals. We conducted collaborative sessions to align our ideas with insights from research and stakeholder feedback.

Strategic Focus Areas:

• Categorized Data Libraries: Logical groupings, such as trafficking signs or case studies, were proposed to streamline navigation and make content more discoverable.
• Search & Filter Capabilities: Advanced filtering and dynamic search functionalities were prioritized to enable operators to quickly locate specific resources based on urgency, topic, or relevance.
• Hover States for Share/Download: To reduce friction and allow operators to take immediate action, share and download options were made accessible via hover states.

The goal was to envision a system that was both simple to use and highly efficient, empowering operators to make quicker, informed decisions.

In this phase, we translated our conceptual ideas into tangible designs through detailed wireframes and high-fidelity mockups. This stage was about ensuring practicality, usability, and alignment with the operators' workflows.

Key Design Elements:

• Organized Libraries: Visual clarity was prioritized with clean layouts and intuitive categories, making it easy to locate specific materials, such as prevention guidelines or trafficking signs.
• Enhanced Search & Filters: The search feature offered real-time filtering, enabling users to quickly refine results by date, topic, or urgency for faster, more relevant information retrieval.
• Hover States for Share/Download: Download and share icons were accessible via hover states, reducing friction and enabling immediate action.
• Practical Iterations: Throughout this phase, we focused on aligning the design with user expectations by testing workflows and refining visual hierarchies to minimize cognitive load. The result was a polished interface tailored to operators' needs in high-pressure situations.

The redesigned Data & Analysis page became a centralized hub for human trafficking awareness resources, improving categorization, search functionality, and content engagement. These changes made it easier for transit operators to access critical information quickly, streamlining their decision-making process in urgent situations.

To ensure effective communication and stakeholder alignment, my team and I handed off the project through a handoff presentation and organized all materials in a Google Drive folder. I also created a comprehensive document outlining the project to assist future externs working on similar tasks. Additionally, my team and I presented the redesign at the Rutgers' MBS Externship Exchange Lighting Talk, where we shared the project with over 200 attendees, showcasing how the redesign enhanced operator efficiency and responsiveness.

The success of this redesign stemmed from the collaboration between my design team and PACT stakeholders. Each group brought valuable perspectives and skills that enriched the project. As the lead designer, I facilitated these discussions, ensuring open communication and collective problem-solving to shape a design that met the unique needs of all users.

Vision & Strategy: I led the redesign by identifying critical usability issues and defining a user-centered vision for the new Data & Analysis page. This included prioritizing features for speed, clarity, and simplicity to help operators make real-time decisions. I also led a collective heuristic evaluation to assess the existing design and pinpoint key areas for improvement.

Research & User Insights: In collaboration with my team, I conducted interviews with key stakeholders and performed secondary research to uncover pain points and inefficiencies. This collective effort allowed us to identify gaps in the existing system and define actionable goals for the redesign.

UI/UX Design: I directed the creation of wireframes and high-fidelity mockups, focusing on categorization, streamlined navigation, and hover-state share/download buttons. I collaborated closely with my team to ensure the interface was intuitive and functional, providing clear workflows and minimal cognitive load.

Stakeholder Communication: I presented design iterations to PACT stakeholders, gathering feedback and incorporating suggestions to refine the final product. My role involved balancing user needs with PACT's organizational goals, ensuring the design addressed operational challenges and broader mission objectives.

Key Learnings:

• User-Centered Design: By focusing on the user experience, we created a product that addresses pain points and significantly improves operational efficiency.
• Simplification Drives Adoption: A simplified interface resulted in quicker onboarding and faster access to critical data for operators.
• Continuous Iteration: Regular feedback and iterative design allowed us to refine the product to meet the users' specific needs.

Future Opportunities:

• Real-Time Data Integration: Adding dynamic updates based on emerging human trafficking trends ensures operators have the latest information.
• User-Generated Feedback: Integrating a feedback system to continuously improve resource categorization and relevance.
• Mobile Optimization: Expanding the design to ensure seamless functionality on mobile devices for on-the-go operators.