Highlights
- Design and Implementation of new faceted search functionality on nsw.gov.au
Methodology
Discover and Define
Design and Iterate
Context: What, how and why
Tasked with creating a site for a newly formed Government agency, I faced a large dataset with a disruptive experience. A full re-design was required to ensure a streamlined, satisfactory user experience on nsw.gov.au.
The solution: Faceted Search. This provides an efficient way to explore and navigate through large datasets or search results. Multiple filters (facets) are applied to narrow down the search results according to different attributes or categories. Ultimately making it easier, and quicker for users to find what they're looking for.
Understanding our users experience
I conducted generative research with users and stakeholders to better understand needs, pain points, objectives and overall journey experience.
Interviews
To better understand pain points with the existing search functionality, and build an understanding of users, their tasks and goals.
Data Analysis
Analysis of user behaviour using Google Analytics data to understand how users conduct searches, and to identify patterns and friction points.
Competitive Analysis
For search functionality patterns using similarly structured datasets.
Developing artefacts based on findings
Data and findings from the discovery research was collated, themed and visualised to generate artefacts such as journey maps and task flows.
Personas and Journey Maps
Visualise user flows, tasks, needs and pain points.
Ideation Workshops
Ideation with stakeholders and engineers to generate potential solutions using new or existing search patterns.
Wireframes and Task Flows
Created wireframes using Miro to visualise basic page and system structure, and task flows.
Leveraging the artefacts to ideate and design and test solutions
The artefacts were used to ideate, develop and test solutions, ensuring all decisions are human-centred and based on real quantitative/qualitative user data and scenarios.
High-fidelity Prototypes
Created high-fidelity prototypes in Figma to iterate and test, adhering to WCAG standards for both functionality and appearance.
Usability Testing
Conducted usability tests using Lyssna to gather feedback and ensure that the new search features were easy to use and understand for all personas.
Iteration of Design
Refinement of the design based on feedback and usability tests.
Faceted Search: A simplified search experience
Faceted Search provides an efficient way to explore and navigate through large datasets or search results. Multiple filters (facets) are applied to narrow down the search results according to different attributes or categories.
Working closely with stakeholders and the dev, I engineered a solution built using a react component, with a view to rollout the functionality across other search instances on nsw.gov.au.
Before: Solution development for a complex problem
A heuristic review identified that existing patterns were complex resulting in poor usability scores. This finding was bolstered through user interviews and data analysis.
With over 300 filter options, this required users to view and scroll an exhaustive list, even when 0 results existed.
After: Searching by time and status: A key user need
Observation of analytics and user behaviour showed that a search filter for year was essential, though the existing solution created 4 separate search functions.
The document types and status were separated, creating 4 separate search functions. The final solution implemented combined these filters resulting in a single search function with facets for the existing labels.
Simplified search
Facet applied: Status = Active
Total results: Reduced from 2089 to 108
Results pages: Reduced from 209 to 11.
Topics: Reduced from 94 to 46.
Enhanced user experience
Improved the search functionality to make it easier and faster for users to find relevant information.
Improved search accuracy
Enable faceting for users to find exactly what they need, and hide instances of searches rendering 0 results.
Future application throughout nsw.gov.au
Other work
Feedback mechanism
CMS Dashboard design
