IBM Cloud • Global Search
Discovery and UX audit based on empty-state, populated results and first click interaction with direct competitors & similar digital experiences.
Competitive analysis
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Single column long vertical scroll
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Secondary search filters
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Does not redirect users to external search engines
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Results include descriptions
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Matching characters are ‘text styled’
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No distinction between categories
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Can view recently visited services
Similar
Digital
Experiences
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Multiple category tabs for filtering
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Nothing happens upon first click
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Dedicated global search page
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Search results anatomy is a link plus a long description
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Results include descriptions
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Matching characters are ‘text styled’
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No distinction between categories
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Can view recently visited services
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Search history and recent services are visible
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Two column layout for populated search results
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Distinct categories
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Search history and recent services are visible
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Two column layout for populated search results
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Distinct categories
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Search history and recent services are visible
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Two column layout for populated search results
-
Distinct categories
-
Multiple category tabs for filtering
-
Nothing happens upon first click
-
Dedicated global search page
-
Search results anatomy is a link plus a long description
Competitive analysis
Major takeaways
All competitors show recent search history
Search anatomy needs to be expanded
Use of descriptive categorized language is critical
Qualitative research
Constraints, considerations, stakeholder insights
1
How will these improvements impact business?
2
Will our users be happy?
What existing resources can be leveraged?
3
4
Incorporate additional content without overwhelming the user.
Rapid design ideation & critique
Explore multiple feature enhancements
Explore several layouts for empty state & populated search
Create a mid-fi clickable prototype
Host regular feedback & critique sessions with team
Prototype testing
5
Participants​
Industry professionals
Testing goals
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Software Engineer
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Developer
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Software Engineer
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Product Development Engineer
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Infrastructure Architect
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Capture feedback and reactions to each layout
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See if the designs met tester expectations
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Test our terminology and understand industry terminology
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Determine an ideal prioritization of categories
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Understand user priorities in general
Key testing questions
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Can you describe what you're seeing?
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Is this what you were expecting to see?
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Is there anything you like, dislike or find confusing about this?
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What would you expect to happen once you start typing?
User testing data synthesis
Affinity mapping
Quotes from participants
“I expect to see recent searches. It’s a time saver.”
“I would search for docs 30% of the time. I like this.”
“I mostly work on existing resources. They are my priority.”
Prototype testing
Key insights
5/5 users expect to see recent searches
5/5 need quick UI access to "resources"
5/5 had no confusion with UI layout
4/5 preferred the double column layout
5/5 agreed "resources" should appear first
5/5 preffered to see "Docs" in results
Robust Global Search Engine
Design proposal
State - Populated Search
Proposed feature enhancements
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Two column all inclusive layout
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Resources are the prioritized category
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Platform, Docs, and Support Pages populated
State - Recent searches
Proposed feature enhancements
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Recent search queries are surfaces
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Recently viewed resources are surfaced
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Recently viewed Docs are surfaced
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Include option to clear Search History
Prototype
preview
Before the redesign
Pain points
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No access to recently viewed search items.
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Limited capacity for populated results
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Functional bugs
Priorities
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Search on key platform pages.
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Search on additional data.
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Quickly jump to recently viewed resources.
Overview
Role
Deliverables
Enhance IBM Cloud's global search engine to accelerate work flows and provide a more competitive, robust search experience for customers.
Product Designer
Research
Strategy
Prototype
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