LBM Next: Improved Analytics and Navigation
Project Overview
Problem to Solve
LBM (Lighthouse Business Manager) is a restaurant management tool that handles every aspect of the hospitality business. It covers marketing, gift cards, reservations, scheduling, sales, reports and even short term business loans. However, LBM was not easy to use and did not give the customer useful analytics even though it collected an immense amount of data.
I was teamed up with a very talented data analyst and we were tasked with improving LBM. This was probably the most research intensive project I have ever worked on.
Process
Discovery
I started by training on LBM and gaining product knowledge. After the training I did a comprehensive UX analysis. I produced a 56 slide presentation that went through every section. I distilled the presentation down to a two page report for “easier consumption.
I then conducted a series of interviews with current customers and customer support. You can see a more detailed description of that process here.
Then I sat down with the head of product and analytics and we put together a series of goals for LBM. We wanted to make LBM a top-of-the-line business management tool by correcting its current issues and improving its features.
Discovery: Architecture
The first thing we tackled was the information architecture/navigation. We performed a few card sorting exercises and restructured the whole menu. We tried to consolidate the primary navigation and put in secondary menus where they made sense. Our first attempt was to make the navigation horizontal but we realized we needed a vertical navigation to allow for growth.
We opted for a split menu, the primary menu being vertical down the left and a secondary menu at the top.
Design: Dashboard Widgets
The existing dashboard was cumbersome and didn’t supply enough analytics. During the interviews we also asked the users several questions about how we could improve our analytics. Based on the feedback we wireframed a series of proposed dashboard widgets to present the data. We also included detailed reports explaining how each widget would function and how it could help inform the user of any trends.
New Vs Repeat Customers
The user can see a break down as to how many new vs repeat customers come in. Each view was done in “full size” or compact. The user had the ability to edit the dashboard to set the size and location of each widget. They also have the ability to filter by date, time of day/shift, order type, etc.
Sales Trends
Allows users to make data driven decisions on inventory, staffing and comparing sales over time.
Design: Wireframes
We created a series of wireframes to show how all the screens would be laid out. We addressed several usability issues like multi location report creation. These would form the basis of the visual design.
Client
Services
- Customer Research
- Information Architecture
- Wireframes
- User Experience Design
- User Interface Design
- Visual Design
Tools
- Balsamiq
- Figma
Discovery Elements
Architecture
Widgets Reports
Wireframes
Homepage
This was my proposal for an updated dashboard. My goal was to layout the information in an easy to read format. There are widgets advertising new features, calling out what requires attention and even the ability to customize the layout to the users needs. The Insights are the analytics we were working on.
Applications
LBM allowed for third party applications or additional features that were called applications to be added to a user’s subscription. The blue circle with a 1 in them represents the app requiring the user’s attention.
Marketing
LBM had the ability to conduct marketing campaigns. A user could create emails, Facebook ads, loyalty programs, etc. The user would be able to track the effectiveness of a campaign.
Reports
One of the product owners mentioned the reports were lacking customization, were difficult to set up and several customers they were angry they couldn’t do a multi-location report. The first screen I created was a report dashboard. The dashboard has an optional “Quick View” area. This is a place where users can add their “favorite” reports.
Create a New Report
I streamlined the report creation process. I eliminated everything that was unnecessary and added advanced options. A user could create a simple report in four clicks.
Create a New Report: Advanced Settings
The advanced settings allows the user to select their table columns, reorder them and nest them into groups. They can also add graphs, charts and create templates.
Visual Designs Desktop
These are not final designs, I only had the opportunity to do a first pass rough draft. By the time this first pass was completed the product owner was transferred and the project had faded away. I am aware these are not perfect but I believe in showing things as they were and if I had more time I believe they would have been much better.
In the wireframes I attempted to make the navigation horizontal, but I realized very quickly due to the dynamic nature of the application horizontal would not accommodate all the menu items. I created a series of visual design for the home page dashboard with a focus on the navigation, the widget set up and mobile views.
Dashboard Widgets
This view shows an icon based menu, if the user wants to see the button names they can click the hamburger menu and it will expand.
Menu Expansion
Edit Dashboard
If a user clicks the gear icon in any of the analytics widgets it will flip and expose the edit side. A user can set the size of the widget, colors and whatever available parameters they want to see.
Dashboard Small Widget View
This view shows an icon based menu, if the user wants to see the button names they can click the hamburger menu and it will expand.
