TigerData Data Management Platform
TigerData Data Management Platform
Princeton University
Princeton University
2024
2024
Product Designer — User interviews, Qualitative Analysis, Co-Design, Rapid Prototyping, Usability Testing, Design System
Product Designer — User interviews, Qualitative Analysis, Co-Design, Rapid Prototyping, Usability Testing, Design System
My role
My role
Nava Babaei (Project Management)
Anika Vaishampayan (Research)
Rebecca Jiang, Gaurav Nemade (Design)
TigerData Team (Client)
Nava Babaei (Project Management)
Anika Vaishampayan (Research)
Rebecca Jiang, Gaurav Nemade (Design)
TigerData Team (Client)
Team
Team
Jan 2024 - Aug 2024
Jan 2024 - Aug 2024
Timeline
Timeline
TigerData is an initiative at Princeton University to help researchers better store, access, and manage their data to achieve long term sustainability.
Prior to this project, TigerData did not have any front-end interface. Along with my team, I supported the research, design, and strategy from the ground up, transforming concepts to hi-fi prototypes.
Currently, I'm leading the design refinement and collaborating closely with engineers to bring TigerData to life, the MVP is expected to launch in early 2025. Stay tuned!
TigerData is an initiative at Princeton University to help researchers better store, access, and manage their data to achieve long term sustainability.
Prior to this project, TigerData did not have any front-end interface. Along with my team, I supported the research, design, and strategy from the ground up, transforming concepts to hi-fi prototypes.
Currently, I'm leading the design refinement and collaborating closely with engineers to bring TigerData to life, the MVP is expected to launch in early 2025. Stay tuned!
Overview
Overview
CONTEXT
The struggles with tedious data management in Open Science
The struggles with tedious data management in Open Science
Following proper research data management practice can enhance collaboration, and make data resuable and easily shareable. Although highly valuable, especially for leading research university like Princeton, proper research data management is tedious to implement and time-consuming for busy researchers.
Following proper research data management practice can enhance collaboration, and make data resuable and easily shareable. Although highly valuable, especially for leading research university like Princeton, proper research data management is tedious to implement and time-consuming for busy researchers.
What is TigerData?
What is TigerData?
Many researchers at Princeton store their data on university servers, requiring command lines input for access, making it difficult for less technical users. To address this, TigerData aims to provide intuitive data management service through GUI that simplifies storage and access, making it more accessible to all.
Many researchers at Princeton store their data on university servers, requiring command lines input for access, making it difficult for less technical users. To address this, TigerData aims to provide intuitive data management service through GUI that simplifies storage and access, making it more accessible to all.
Researchers
Command Lines
University Servers
Clusters
Cloud Storage
Archives
Equipments
TigerData GUI
User Group
User Group
Princeton research community, including faculty, PhD students, research assistants, lab managers, data analysts etc.
Princeton research community, including faculty, PhD students, research assistants, lab managers, data analysts etc.
Problem
Problem
Following proper data management is a complex and time-consuming challenge, particularly for busy or less technical researchers.
Following proper data management is a complex and time-consuming challenge, particularly for busy or less technical researchers.
Goals
Goals
Offer a centralized platform for diverse projects and data storage, streamline metadata labeling, and supporting long-term sustainable research and data growth.
Offer a centralized platform for diverse projects and data storage, streamline metadata labeling, and supporting long-term sustainable research and data growth.
PROCESS
PROCESS
Understand current research data management practices
Understand current research data management practices
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of current research data management and challenges researchers are facing, we conducted thorough desk research and engaged directly with over 100 researchers through surveys, interviews, and co-design workshops. Here are some key findings.
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of current research data management and challenges researchers are facing, we conducted thorough desk research and engaged directly with over 100 researchers through surveys, interviews, and co-design workshops. Here are some key findings.
Decentralization
Decentralization
Researchers have diverse workflows, they use 3 different tools for data management on average
Researchers have diverse workflows, they use 3 different tools for data management on average
Data management are fragmented and unstandardized, with our survey of 80 researchers uncovering the use of 46+ different tools used for managing research data.
Data management are fragmented and unstandardized, with our survey of 80 researchers uncovering the use of 46+ different tools used for managing research data.
Barries to entry
Barries to entry
Command line interfaces demotivates researchers with less technical knowledge to use university servers
Command line interfaces demotivates researchers with less technical knowledge to use university servers
Researchers with less coding knowledge face technical issues related to data storage, scalability, and poor usability of existing tools and platforms
Researchers with less coding knowledge face technical issues related to data storage, scalability, and poor usability of existing tools and platforms
Collaboration challenges
Collaboration challenges
The diversity of data management causes confusion when sharing data
The diversity of data management causes confusion when sharing data
Researchers organize their data in very different ways, which leads to confusion when sharing data, causing ineffective team collaboration.
Researchers organize their data in very different ways, which leads to confusion when sharing data, causing ineffective team collaboration.
Time constraints
Time constraints
Due to their packed schedules, researchers prefer tools that are quick to adopt and enhance work efficiency
Due to their packed schedules, researchers prefer tools that are quick to adopt and enhance work efficiency
According to our clients, “our users are the busiest people on earth”. Many researchers are in charge of multiple ongoing projects and would love to minimize the effort needed for tedious data management tasks.
According to our clients, “our users are the busiest people on earth”. Many researchers are in charge of multiple ongoing projects and would love to minimize the effort needed for tedious data management tasks.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
PROBLEM STATEMENT
How might we transform research data management to improve efficiency, reduce complexity and enhance collaboration, ensuring enduring research value?
How might we transform research data management to improve efficiency, reduce complexity and enhance collaboration, ensuring enduring research value?
DESIGN EXPLORATIONS
DESIGN EXPLORATIONS
Use future to inform now
Use future to inform now
We brainstormed and sketched 200+ ideas where we imagined different futures beyond limitations, and selected 8 promising ideas for concept validation through speed-dating. Then we used “user enactments” to envision potential solutions and rapidly prototyped ideas that are feasible for TigerData to implement.
We brainstormed and sketched 200+ ideas where we imagined different futures beyond limitations, and selected 8 promising ideas for concept validation through speed-dating. Then we used “user enactments” to envision potential solutions and rapidly prototyped ideas that are feasible for TigerData to implement.
Sketching of 200+ ideas based on different combinations of technology and problems
Sketching of 200+ ideas based on different combinations of technology and problems
Making paper prototypes to imagine potential solutions and visualize user workflows
Making paper prototypes to imagine potential solutions and visualize user workflows
Prototyping feasible ideas after concept validation
Prototyping feasible ideas after concept validation
Prioritize key features
Prioritize key features
In a collaboration workshop with TigerData team, we talked through all potential solutions and mapped them on a priority matrix based on their alignment with business objectives and technical feasibility for the team to implement. We then focused on high relevance, high feasibility ideas.
In a collaboration workshop with TigerData team, we talked through all potential solutions and mapped them on a priority matrix based on their alignment with business objectives and technical feasibility for the team to implement. We then focused on high relevance, high feasibility ideas.
FINAL SOLUTIONS
FINAL SOLUTIONS
Efficient research data management through TigerData
Efficient research data management through TigerData
In traditional workflows, researchers frequently switch between different data management tools, and those with limited technical knowledge often feel intimidated by the command-lines interfaces required to access the storage space provided by the university.
TigerData addresses this by offering a centralized, customizable space to manage all projects and related data through an intuitive GUI.
In traditional workflows, researchers frequently switch between different data management tools, and those with limited technical knowledge often feel intimidated by the command-lines interfaces required to access the storage space provided by the university.
TigerData addresses this by offering a centralized, customizable space to manage all projects and related data through an intuitive GUI.
A clutter-free project hub for everything
A clutter-free project hub for everything
TigerData serves as a centralized hub for all projects and data, allowing users to track storage usage, view recent activities, and manage data using quick actions.
TigerData serves as a centralized hub for all projects and data, allowing users to track storage usage, view recent activities, and manage data using quick actions.
Highlights
Highlights
Users save time from switching between different tools.
Users save time from switching between different tools.
Metadata tagging at scale
Metadata tagging at scale
To simplify and encourage metadata tagging, this intuitive file tagging board enables researchers to apply schemas and metadata to thousands of files with just a few clicks.
To simplify and encourage metadata tagging, this intuitive file tagging board enables researchers to apply schemas and metadata to thousands of files with just a few clicks.
Highlights
Highlights
Less redundant manual tags input and users save time by applying pre-defined schemas.
Less redundant manual tags input and users save time by applying pre-defined schemas.
Custom query builder
Custom query builder
The embedded query builder uses intuitive visual components that allows those with less coding experience to create custom filters for their data with minimal learning.
The embedded query builder uses intuitive visual components that allows those with less coding experience to create custom filters for their data with minimal learning.
Highlights
Highlights
User-friendly for all, and queries can be built, saved, and applied directly.
User-friendly for all, and queries can be built, saved, and applied directly.
Discover projects and data
Discover projects and data
TigerData Discovery enables searches for active research data in Princeton’s repository using metadata and relevancy level, promoting data sharing and reuse.
TigerData Discovery enables searches for active research data in Princeton’s repository using metadata and relevancy level, promoting data sharing and reuse.
Highlights
Highlights
Less waste of effort collecting all data from scratch and discover potential collaborators working on similar topics.
Less waste of effort collecting all data from scratch and discover potential collaborators working on similar topics.
ITERATIONS
ITERATIONS
Enhance accessibility and usability
Enhance accessibility and usability
To ensure clarity and usability of different features, our team conducted two rounds of usability testing. Coordinating with TigerData team, we were able to engage early adopters and potential users from different departments, which led to some major improvements of the design.
To ensure clarity and usability of different features, our team conducted two rounds of usability testing. Coordinating with TigerData team, we were able to engage early adopters and potential users from different departments, which led to some major improvements of the design.
15 testing sessions
15 testing sessions
Tested mid- and high-fidelity prototypes with Princeton and CMU researchers.
Tested mid- and high-fidelity prototypes with Princeton and CMU researchers.
3 user roles
3 user roles
Roles in TigerData includes Data Sponsor, Data Manager, and Data User.
Roles in TigerData includes Data Sponsor, Data Manager, and Data User.
10 distinct tasks
10 distinct tasks
Each user role was assigned 3-5 tasks based on their permission level.
Each user role was assigned 3-5 tasks based on their permission level.
Adjust the dashboard layout based on major user interactions
Adjust the dashboard layout based on major user interactions
Early Iteration
1
2
Users frequently interact with projects, but need extra scrolling to access them.
Users frequently interact with projects, but need extra scrolling to access them.
Users were unclear about their roles within different projects and overlooked the role categories in the tabs.
Users were unclear about their roles within different projects and overlooked the role categories in the tabs.
Final Design
Prioritize project overview to make it central focus and position other activities to the side to better align with user behaviors.
Prioritize project overview to make it central focus and position other activities to the side to better align with user behaviors.
Consolidate all approved projects into a single tab and clearly display user roles for each project to provide transparent information.
Consolidate all approved projects into a single tab and clearly display user roles for each project to provide transparent information.
Minimize uncertainty and maximize flexibility when create new projects
Minimize uncertainty and maximize flexibility when create new projects
Early Iteration
1
2
Users felt uncertain about what to expect at each step when creating a project.
Users felt uncertain about what to expect at each step when creating a project.
Users were unsure of how much storage they needed, oftentimes went directly to select the maximum available amount.
Users were unsure of how much storage they needed, oftentimes went directly to select the maximum available amount.
Final Design
Add descriptions and status indicators to the progress bar to provide clear guidance on “to-dos” in each step.
Add descriptions and status indicators to the progress bar to provide clear guidance on “to-dos” in each step.
Provide multiple storage options with clear description to help users choose the optimal amount based on their specific needs.
Provide multiple storage options with clear description to help users choose the optimal amount based on their specific needs.
Make custom query accessible to all
Early Iteration
1
2
Users felt hesitant about the terminology and how the query logic work.
Some users preferred coding queries directly rather than using step by step visual representation.
Final Design
Restructure the visual hierarchy of Boolean logic and adopt familiar terms used in other tools to make the process more intuitive.
Introduce an option for coding interface that allows technical users to build queries in their preferred format.
Sustainable design
Sustainable design
Design System
Design System
As our team worked on different part of the designs, we approached the design of components very differently. We recognized the need for a well-documented design system to align our work and ensure TigerData team can reuse and build upon the design after we handoff all the deliverables.
As our team worked on different part of the designs, we approached the design of components very differently. We recognized the need for a well-documented design system to align our work and ensure TigerData team can reuse and build upon the design after we handoff all the deliverables.
In two weeks, we built a design system for TigerData using Atomic Design Methodology, consisting of 5 tokens and 15 component sets, leveraging the use of properties to maximize efficiency and flexibility.
In two weeks, we built a design system for TigerData using Atomic Design Methodology, consisting of 5 tokens and 15 component sets, leveraging the use of properties to maximize efficiency and flexibility.
Atoms
Molecules
Organisms
Atomic Design Methodology
Variants and properties automate and speed up design by providing flexibility
Product Roadmap
Product Roadmap
I delivered a strategic roadmap, envisioning how TigerData may advance from Day 1 to the next 5 years, validated by the TigerData team. For each phase, I broke down in to goals, features, and metrics to measure success and monitor adoption.
I delivered a strategic roadmap, envisioning how TigerData may advance from Day 1 to the next 5 years, validated by the TigerData team. For each phase, I broke down in to goals, features, and metrics to measure success and monitor adoption.
Phase 1
/ Day 1
Phase 2
/ Year 1-2
Phase 3
/ Year 3-4
Phase 4
/ Year 5+
My takeaways
My takeaways
Embrace risks and opportunities
Embrace risks and opportunities
This problem place brought many opportunities, but designing an institution-wise tool also came with many constraints, sometimes limiting our creative freedom. I appreciated how my team explored “risky ideas” early on, which sparked valuable insights and guided us as we transforming bold concepts into tangible designs.
This problem place brought many opportunities, but designing an institution-wise tool also came with many constraints, sometimes limiting our creative freedom. I appreciated how my team explored “risky ideas” early on, which sparked valuable insights and guided us as we transforming bold concepts into tangible designs.
Build trust with stakeholders
Build trust with stakeholders
Working with a large stakeholders group is difficult, especially many of them are leaders in their respective fields. I found that the more we demonstrated and showed genuine appreciation for their insights, the more open they became in sharing their feelings and thoughts. Successful product development needs to build on mutual trust and respect.
Working with a large stakeholders group is difficult, especially many of them are leaders in their respective fields. I found that the more we demonstrated and showed genuine appreciation for their insights, the more open they became in sharing their feelings and thoughts. Successful product development needs to build on mutual trust and respect.
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