Breakthrough products often begin as simple, inspired ideas that capture the imagination of the marketplace.
Logidex, a software management tool created by LogicLibrary, was inspired by the desire to help companies cut application development time and costs by finding, organizing, and reusing software development assets they already own or are currently developing.
MAYA helped us shape a rational product design and development strategy. – Brent Carlson VP of Technology LogicLibrary
Integration into the development environments of customers such as Charles Schwab and CNA Insurance led to the rapid evolution of Logidex. Piecemeal interface development resulted in usability pitfalls and a case of “featuritis.” Although the idea behind Logidex had been simple and logical, it was actually becoming more complex and harder to use.
After one of their best customers recommended a usability study, LogicLibrary recognized the need to streamline and improve their user interface. LogicLibrary asked MAYA to help restore the clarity of their original idea.
Expert Analysis
MAYA’s engineers, human-factors experts, and visual designers used brainstorming, personas, and affinity diagrams to build domain knowledge about LogicLibrary’s business requirements and the needs of their key customers.
Then we conducted an expert analysis of the Logidex user interface, categorizing and prioritizing usability issues in a cost/benefit analysis to find areas where changes would bring the best results for the least amount of money.
MAYA provided LogicLibrary with a path for improving Logidex, including a list of tactical improvements that LogicLibrary could implement immediately.
Before proceding with analysis of strategic issues, we first established design principles that would help MAYA and LogicLibrary focus on the true objectives:
Guiding Principles
- Leverage the user’s real-world experience
- Organize the system around the core user activities
- Layer functionality to reduce complexity
- Show value
- Establish fundamental physics
- Establish sense of place
- Make it scalable
- Make it marketable
These principles also fostered a shared understanding among designers, product managers, marketers, and engineers.
Information Architecture
MAYA’s analysis resulted in a new information architecture that logically arranges the user experience within Logidex. The IA also forms the foundation of a strategic plan for ongoing product development.
Making Logidex more usable made it more competitive. Now each sale is an easier win. – Greg Coticchia, CEO LogicLibrary
User Interface
We proposed design recommendations for a next-generation interface — a compelling user experience with the LogicLibrary brand, even when Logidex is deeply integrated in the environments of their customers.
We provided a ready-reference guide to steer further development of the Logidex interface in a way that gracefully unfolds powerful features, without overwhelming users.
Results
By reducing unnecessary complexity, we designed a consistent user experience, emphasized a desired feature set, and removed barriers to adoption by making the product easier to learn and customize.