When life gives you data, make it insightful
G2 Track is a robust data platform that leverages spend, utilization, contract, and user sentiment data to enable organizations to optimize their software spend and cut costs.
In my role at G2, I was tasked with crafting immersive data experiences on the G2 Track platform to benefit our diverse customer base, spanning from small businesses to large enterprises.
Throughout the development of new product features, I consistently designed intuitive 'overview widgets' for the dashboard, striking a balance between simplicity and insightful data visualization.
Opportunities and goals
Making informed decisions that impact others and the success of their company is challenging without the right information.
Our objective at G2 was to simplify decision-making by providing insights based on their spend, utilization, contract, and user sentiment data.
To present the vast amount of data collected, I designed the user experience with the following goals in mind:
- Accuracy: data was presented honestly, consistently, and clearly, avoiding any misleading information
- Accessibility: we ensured the user experience was structured, clear, and flexible, taking care of vulnerable groups
- Scalability: we designed the experience to be exceptional on multiple devices and for future design updates
- Aesthetics: visuals were well-structured, appealing, and harmonious to help users better understand the information presented
Users wanted to:
- make data-informed decisions based on spend, utilisation, contract, and user sentiment trends,
- quickly detect errors or inaccuracies in bills or licenses,
- effectively process large amounts of information at a glance, and
- feel confident and empowered knowing they are making accurate and smart decisions for their organization.
For example, consider the two signs above. Which one is easier to understand?
Types of data
G2 Track helps CIO and CFO organizations optimize their digital stacks by tracking spend and utilization on software, infrastructure and cloud-enabled services. Track aggregates four types of data sets from across the organization, including:
Spend data
- Sourced via ERP integrations with NetSuite, Intacct, QuickBooks Online, Xero
- Sourced via expense management systems like Expensify and Concur
- Sourced via bank and credit card transactions
Utilization data
- Sourced via an SSO like Okta
- Sourced from cloud platforms like AWS
- Sourced from software applications like Salesforce and HubSpot
Contractual data
- Sourced via PDF uploads from customers
- Sourced from customers via our Contract Concierge service
- Sourced via integrations with procurement and contract management systems
Sentiment data
- Sourced via PDF uploads from customers
- Sourced from customers via our Contract Concierge service
Approach
My focus was on the story we were trying to communicate and the outcomes that resulted from users observing their data.
I asked myself and the wider product team questions like:
- Why is this data important?
- How can we collect this data?
- Do we have the ability to capture this data? If not, why?
- What are we trying to communicate with sharing this data?
- What's the best way to show case this data?
- What will users do with this data and how can we further support them?
Instead of just thinking about colors, hierarchy, and positioning, I prioritized the comparison, relationships, trends, and the story behind the numbers and words.
By doing this, we were able to provide our users with valuable insights and help them make informed decisions.
WIPPPPP :)
It's been 3 years since working at G2 so it's going to take a couple more days and cups of teas to trigger some more memories
In the meantime here is an interactive animation of a capybara
feel free to poke it, it likes it I swear
