Role-Based Adaptable User Interface for Business Software
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Solution Overview
Problem
Business software applications often present users with overly complex and confusing interfaces due to the inclusion of all possible controls and information, which can lead to user confusion and unclear task guidance.
Innovation Solution
An adaptable user interface is created based on the user's role and the tasks associated with those roles, where only active tasks relevant to the user's processes are displayed, reducing clutter and providing clear guidance on next steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed user interface includes all possible controls and information for all users, then all users have access to all controls, but the interface becomes confusing and overwhelming with too much information
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into role-specific sections and task-relevant controls only. Each user sees a customized subset of controls based on their role and current task, rather than all available controls. This divides the monolithic interface into manageable, relevant portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface dynamically adapts its content and structure based on the user's role, current task context, and process state. Controls and information displayed change automatically as users progress through different tasks and roles, making the interface flexible rather than static.
2Productivity
If a fixed user interface provides all controls, then comprehensive functionality is available, but users lack guidance on which tasks to complete next
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-identifies and presents the next relevant tasks to users based on their role and current process state. Instead of requiring users to figure out what to do next from all available controls, the interface proactively displays task guidance and recommendations in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface provides continuous feedback to users about their progress, next steps, and relevant actions. The system monitors user activity and process state, then dynamically updates the interface to guide users through the appropriate sequence of tasks, creating a feedback loop that improves task completion efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptable user interface is formed based on a role assumed by a user and the identification of tasks in a process that need to be performed. For each role assumed by the user, a set of tasks assigned to the role is identified. Each task is evaluated to determine if it is an active task that needs to be performed in one or more processes. For each active task, an element is added to the user interface.