CASE STUDY

DATA PROVIDER INTERFACE (DPI) REDESIGN

From complexity to simplicity: enhancing data uploads for everyone

OVERVIEW

What is Open Data?

Open data refers to data that is freely available for anyone to access, use, and share. It promotes transparency, innovation, and collaboration by allowing public access to datasets created by various organizations, including governments, academic institutions, and private companies. Open data can be used for research, application development, and enhancing public services.

The project 

A redesign of the Data Provider Interface (DPI) to simplify data uploads for non-technical users. The old system had 76 input fields, leading to frustration, poor-quality datasets, and high support costs.

My role 

Lead designer: Spearheaded the redesign from research to implementation, ensuring user-centric and feasible solutions by collaborating with the product owner and engineers.

KEY OUTCOMES

66

Number of reduced input fields

10

Minuites to submit dataset

01

Key challanges

• Overwhelming interface with 76 input fields.
• Poor user experience due to unclear terms and redundant inputs.
• Low-quality dataset submissions.

02

Key solutions

SIMPLIFIED AND AUTOMATED INPUTS

Reduced the number of input fields from 76 to 10, while automating repetitive fields and retrieving data from external sources to minimize user effort.

CLEAR GUIDANCE

Provided in-line tips and real-time validation to help users enter accurate information quickly.

USER-CENTERED WORKFLOW

Designed a step-by-step interface to guide users through the process, ensuring a smooth and intuitive experience.

03

Outcome

Implementation phase to be coming in this fall where I'll get involved again.

EFFICIENCY
Dataset upload now takes only 10 minutes.

QUALITY
Better dataset submissions due to clearer guidance.

COST SAVINGS
Reduced support needs.

04

Reflection

UNDERSTANDING FRAMEWORKS

Learning DCAT-AP.de (European Open Data Scheme) and Metadata Quality Assessment was crucial for aligning the design with technical and quality standards.

COLLABORATION

Regular workshops and review sessions with the product owner and engineers were crucial for ideating together, gathering useful input, and ensuring the design was both meaningful for users and technically feasible.

RAPID ITERATION

Quickly producing outputs even if they are not perfect and continuously refining them based on feedback from engineers and the product owner was essential to meet the project timeline.