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/TIND Research Data Repository
/2025/
Client
TIND.io & Duke University
Methodology
Usability Testing
Year
Nov 1, 2025
Improving the user experience of TIND's repository software
In 2025, Duke University partnered with TIND.io to conduct formative usability research, surfacing critical UX issues before launch and saving an estimated $10,000 in development time.
In 2025, Duke University partnered with TIND.io to conduct formative usability research, surfacing critical UX issues before launch and saving an estimated $10,000 in development time.
/The Challenge/
A Vendor-Supported Solution with Risk of Costly Development & Usability Issues
A Vendor-Supported Solution with Risk of Costly Development & Usability Issues
A migration to a vendor-supported platform introduced new workflows and UX risk, with limited insight into user needs, raising the potential for costly rework and wasted development effort.
A migration to a vendor-supported platform introduced new workflows and UX risk, with limited insight into user needs, raising the potential for costly rework and wasted development effort.
/The Solution/
Formative Usability Research to Reduce Risk
Formative Usability Research to Reduce Risk
I served as the sole researcher, conducting formative usability testing to evaluate critical repository workflows prior to full launch. The research surfaced high-impact UX issues early, enabling targeted, evidence-based recommendations that informed vendor development decisions and prevented costly rework, saving an estimated $10,000 in development time.
I served as the sole researcher, conducting formative usability testing to evaluate critical repository workflows prior to full launch. The research surfaced high-impact UX issues early, enabling targeted, evidence-based recommendations that informed vendor development decisions and prevented costly rework, saving an estimated $10,000 in development time.
/001/
Empathize
Defined research questions and success criteria
Partnered with the Duke RDR team and TIND stakeholders to clarify business risks, user pain points, and high-priority workflows. Aligned on measurable success metrics (task completion, efficiency, severity) to guide study design and participant recruitment.
/001/
Empathize
Defined research questions and success criteria
Partnered with the Duke RDR team and TIND stakeholders to clarify business risks, user pain points, and high-priority workflows. Aligned on measurable success metrics (task completion, efficiency, severity) to guide study design and participant recruitment.
/001/
Empathize
Defined research questions and success criteria
Partnered with the Duke RDR team and TIND stakeholders to clarify business risks, user pain points, and high-priority workflows. Aligned on measurable success metrics (task completion, efficiency, severity) to guide study design and participant recruitment.
/001/
Badge
Defined research questions and success criteria
Partnered with the Duke RDR team and TIND stakeholders to clarify business risks, user pain points, and high-priority workflows. Aligned on measurable success metrics (task completion, efficiency, severity) to guide study design and participant recruitment.
/002/
Prepare & Conduct
Designed and executed usability testing
Developed task-based scenarios reflecting real repository workflows for both expert and novice users. Conducted moderated usability sessions, piloted scripts, and captured quantitative performance metrics alongside qualitative observations.
/002/
Prepare & Conduct
Designed and executed usability testing
Developed task-based scenarios reflecting real repository workflows for both expert and novice users. Conducted moderated usability sessions, piloted scripts, and captured quantitative performance metrics alongside qualitative observations.
/002/
Prepare & Conduct
Designed and executed usability testing
Developed task-based scenarios reflecting real repository workflows for both expert and novice users. Conducted moderated usability sessions, piloted scripts, and captured quantitative performance metrics alongside qualitative observations.
/002/
Badge
Designed and executed usability testing
Developed task-based scenarios reflecting real repository workflows for both expert and novice users. Conducted moderated usability sessions, piloted scripts, and captured quantitative performance metrics alongside qualitative observations.
/003/
Analyze
Measured performance and identified systemic patterns
Analyzed completion rates, time-on-task, and difficulty ratings across workflows. Conducted thematic analysis to identify recurring usability breakdowns, classify issue severity (impact × frequency), and uncover structural design risks.
/003/
Analyze
Measured performance and identified systemic patterns
Analyzed completion rates, time-on-task, and difficulty ratings across workflows. Conducted thematic analysis to identify recurring usability breakdowns, classify issue severity (impact × frequency), and uncover structural design risks.
/003/
Analyze
Measured performance and identified systemic patterns
Analyzed completion rates, time-on-task, and difficulty ratings across workflows. Conducted thematic analysis to identify recurring usability breakdowns, classify issue severity (impact × frequency), and uncover structural design risks.
/003/
Badge
Measured performance and identified systemic patterns
Analyzed completion rates, time-on-task, and difficulty ratings across workflows. Conducted thematic analysis to identify recurring usability breakdowns, classify issue severity (impact × frequency), and uncover structural design risks.
/004/
Deliver
Prioritized and operationalized recommendations
Synthesized findings into actionable design recommendations and facilitated stakeholder prioritization using a decision matrix (user impact × technical feasibility). Delivered high-priority changes to TIND prior to launch to mitigate UX risk and avoid costly rework.
/004/
Deliver
Prioritized and operationalized recommendations
Synthesized findings into actionable design recommendations and facilitated stakeholder prioritization using a decision matrix (user impact × technical feasibility). Delivered high-priority changes to TIND prior to launch to mitigate UX risk and avoid costly rework.
/004/
Deliver
Prioritized and operationalized recommendations
Synthesized findings into actionable design recommendations and facilitated stakeholder prioritization using a decision matrix (user impact × technical feasibility). Delivered high-priority changes to TIND prior to launch to mitigate UX risk and avoid costly rework.
/004/
Badge
Prioritized and operationalized recommendations
Synthesized findings into actionable design recommendations and facilitated stakeholder prioritization using a decision matrix (user impact × technical feasibility). Delivered high-priority changes to TIND prior to launch to mitigate UX risk and avoid costly rework.
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