Introducing faceted search to help users find information faster
Tasked with creating a site for a newly formed Government agency, I faced a large dataset with a disruptive experience. A full re-design was required to ensure a streamlined, satisfactory user experience on the nsw.gov.au.
My role
Lead research and design of a new feature.
Support team
Technical Business Analyst, Dev.
Tools and tech
Miro (ideation, journey maps), Figma (prototyping), Lyssna (testing).
Outcome: A simplified search experience
Faceted Search provides an efficient way to explore and navigate through large datasets or search results. Multiple filters (facets) are applied to narrow down the search results according to different attributes or categories.
Working closely with stakeholders and the dev, I engineered a solution built using a react component, with a view to rollout the functionality across other search instances on nsw.gov.au.
See the Live example
Solution development for a complex problem
A heuristic review quickly identified that the existing patterns used were overly complex resulting in poor usability scores. Interviews provided further evidence to this claim.
With over 300 filter options, this required users to view and scroll an exhaustive list, even when 0 results existed.
Searching by time and status: A key user need
Observation of analytics and user behaviour showed that a search filter for year was essential, though the existing solution created 4 separate search functions.
The document types and status were separated, creating 4 separate search functions. The final solution implemented combined these filters resulting in a single search function with facets for the existing labels.
Objectives
Enhance user experience
Improve the search functionality to make it easier and faster for users to find relevant information.
Improve search accuracy
Enable faceting for users to find exactly what they need, and hide instances of searches rendering 0 results.
Process
Discovery
- Conducted interviews to better understand pain points with the existing search functionality, and build an understanding of users, their goals.
- Analysis of user behaviour using Google Analytics data to understand how users conduct searches, identify patterns and friction points.
- Competitive analysis for search functionality patterns using similarly structured datasets.
Ideation
- Developed personas and journey maps to visualise user flows and tasks.
- Ideation with stakeholders and engineers to generate potential solutions using new or existing search patterns.
- Created wireframes using Miro to visualise basic page and system structure, and task flows.
Design, Prototype, Test
- Created high-fidelity prototypes in Figma to iterate and test, adhering to WCAG standards for both functionality and appearance.
- Conducted usability tests using Lysine to gather feedback and ensure that the new search features were easy to use and understand for all personas.
- Refinement of the design based on feedback and usability tests.
Development and Implementation
- I worked closely with the dev teams throughout the creation of the search functionality feature to ensure; the react component was built according to the required platform standards in relation to search and fetch load.
- Working alongside the Analytics and Insights team to set up GA task analysis to monitor user behaviour for future iterations.
Future application throughout nsw.gov.au
Introducing faceted search significantly improved the user experience, making it easier for users to find relevant information quickly and efficiently.
This project showcased the importance of user-centered design and iterative testing in creating features that truly meet user needs.
The site wide search function has been identified as an area that could benefit from the application of this faceted search react component.
