FachbibliothekAdvacare
The Fachbibliothek project is a comprehensive knowledgebase designed specifically for nurses and nursing experts. It employs a user-first design approach grounded in full User-Centered Design (UCD) principles and extensive research. The goal was to create a robust platform that offers easy access to vital resources and information, ultimately enhancing the professional development of nursing practitioners. The project was complex and extensive, leading to positive feedback from users who appreciate its usability and functionality.
01 Role & Responsibilities
As the Product Owner and the lead UX/UI Designer for the Fachbibliothek, I was responsible for overseeing the entire design and developement process, from initial research and ideation to final implementation. My role involved conducting user research to understand the needs of nurses, developing wireframes and prototypes, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that our design decisions aligned with user requirements and business objectives. I focused on creating a seamless user experience that emphasized accessibility and intuitive navigation throughout the platform. By actively engaging with both the design team and stakeholders, I ensured that user feedback was continuously integrated into our development process, leading to a more effective and user-centered final product.
02 Vision
The vision for the Fachbibliothek was to develop a leading-edge resource hub that empowers nurses and nursing professionals by providing them with easy access to essential knowledge and tools. By focusing on a user-first design, we aimed to create a platform that supports continuous learning and development while fostering a sense of community among users.
Key functionalities were integral to this vision, including a robust user management system that allows users to easily create and manage their profiles, and content management capabilities that enable the seamless addition and editing of resources. The platform features advanced search functions that simplify finding relevant information, along with integration of multimedia learning resources to enhance the educational experience. Additionally, functionalities such as a feedback management system and helpdesk support were designed to ensure users receive the assistance they need, further solidifying the Fachbibliothek as a vital tool in their professional journey.
03 Challenges
The Fachbibliothek project faced several significant challenges during its development:
Building from Scratch: As a completely new platform, there was no existing framework or design to reference. This required extensive planning and collaboration to ensure that the foundation of the site met user needs from the outset.
User-Friendliness for Non-IT Professionals: Given that the primary users are nurses and not IT professionals, it was crucial to create an interface that was both intuitive and easy to navigate. This necessitated a focus on simplifying complex functionalities while still delivering effective tools for knowledge management.
Balancing Complexity and Usability: The platform needed to support a wide range of functionalities essential for nursing professionals while maintaining a clean and straightforward user experience. Striking this balance was essential to ensure that users could access critical information without feeling overwhelmed.
04 User Research
Our design process began with in-depth user research to identify the specific needs and pain points of nurses. This included surveys and interviews that revealed a strong demand for intuitive navigation and quick access to relevant resources. The findings guided our design decisions, ensuring that the platform would effectively serve its intended audience.
Online Surveys
To gather broad insights and quantify user needs, we conducted online surveys targeting nurses and healthcare professionals who would be the primary users of the Fachbibliothek. The surveys were designed to capture both qualitative and quantitative data on users' current knowledge management practices, the types of resources they use, and the challenges they face in accessing and utilizing relevant medical content. Key areas of focus included understanding their preferences for searching, content organization, and desired features such as mobile access or multimedia support. The results provided valuable insights into the common pain points and expectations of our user base, which directly influenced our design decisions.
Personas
Based on the insights gathered from interviews and surveys, we developed proto-personas to encapsulate the diverse user groups interacting with the SIAXMA Webterminal. These personas served as archetypes representing the key characteristics, needs, and pain points of our user base, guiding the design process to ensure that it remained user-centered.
Qualitative Interviews
In addition to online surveys, we conducted a series of qualitative interviews with nurses and nursing experts to dive deeper into their specific challenges, pain points, and aspirations for the Fachbibliothek platform. These one-on-one interviews provided nuanced insights into their day-to-day workflows and how they currently manage knowledge. The interviews also revealed the gaps in existing systems and highlighted the need for an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. Nurses shared frustrations with navigating overly complex platforms and expressed a desire for a more user-friendly, streamlined experience. The qualitative data allowed us to understand not just the functional requirements but also the emotional aspects of using such a platform, ensuring that the design would not only be effective but also engaging and supportive for users in their professional development.
