The Modern Data Stack
The Modern Data Stack
Curated repository of invaluable resources to empower individuals in mastering data stack best practices, and making informed choices for their specific use cases.
Curated repository of invaluable resources to empower individuals in mastering data stack best practices, and making informed choices for their specific use cases.
Role
Founding Product Designer & Researcher
Timeline
V1.0 (Apr-Jun): 12 weeks
V2.0(Nov-Jan): 10 weeks
(2021-2022)
Team
1 Product Designer & 1 Design Intern (V2.0)
Product Managers
Engineers & Developers
Marketing & Growth Team
Overview
Project background
Project background
I designed the Modern Data Stack platform, curating a comprehensive hub that incorporates data stacks, tools utilized by companies, journals, podcasts, articles, videos, and insights from influencers.
It stands as an invaluable resource, offering insights into the structural frameworks of top organizations for informed decision-making.
I designed the Modern Data Stack platform, curating a comprehensive hub that incorporates data stacks, tools utilized by companies, journals, podcasts, articles, videos, and insights from influencers.
It stands as an invaluable resource, offering insights into the structural frameworks of top organizations for informed decision-making.
Goal & Impact
What was the objective, and how was the outcome?
What was the objective, and how was the outcome?
The goal was to create the ultimate hub for Modern Data Stack wisdom and insights:
The goal was to create the ultimate hub for Modern Data Stack wisdom and insights:
I aimed to be the ultimate destination for modern data stack information, ensuring our platform is the go-to destination for anyone seeking relevant data insights.
I aimed to be the ultimate destination for modern data stack information, ensuring our platform is the go-to destination for anyone seeking relevant data insights.
I feel proud to share the impact:
Problem & solution in a nutshell
A synopsis of the problem and its solution
A synopsis of the problem and its solution
The challenge was to navigate search queries for relevant MDS information:
The challenge was to navigate search queries for relevant MDS information:
Before the existence of moderndatastack.xyz, people were using the following process:
Before the existence of moderndatastack.xyz, people were using the following process:
Building a central platform for modern stacks and tools:
Building a central platform for modern stacks and tools:
I recognized the need for a centralized source for modern data stack information. Thus, I created a website showcasing company details, data stacks, tools, informative content, influencers, a discussion forum, and a company comparison feature.
I recognized the need for a centralized source for modern data stack information. Thus, I created a website showcasing company details, data stacks, tools, informative content, influencers, a discussion forum, and a company comparison feature.
Research & Analysis
Understanding the problem
Understanding the problem
Collaborating with product manager and developers and reviewing the PRD, I initiated research to gather insights, validate the problem, and understand the key challenges users encounter.
Collaborating with product manager and developers and reviewing the PRD, I initiated research to gather insights, validate the problem, and understand the key challenges users encounter.
I observed 11 participants (remotely), gave a prompt, and carefully analyzed their responses to gain valuable insights:
I observed 11 participants (remotely), gave a prompt, and carefully analyzed their responses to gain valuable insights:
User interviews with 9 participants gave us these insights:
User interviews with 9 participants gave us these insights:
Users seek streamlined access to resources for simplified MDS exploration.
Users seek streamlined access to resources for simplified MDS exploration.
Users seek awareness of data-related trends.
Users seek awareness of data-related trends.
Users seek a one-stop hub for all startup essentials.
Users seek a one-stop hub for all startup essentials.
Users seek easy stack comparisons for optimal business tool selection.
Users seek easy stack comparisons for optimal business tool selection.
Competitive analysis
Competitive analysis
Drawing from research insights, I identified the key challenges:
Drawing from research insights, I identified the key challenges:
Outdated or incorrect information
Outdated or incorrect information
Inadequate Search Engine Optimization
Inadequate Search Engine Optimization
Identifying relevant content
Identifying relevant content
Complexity of the Data Stack
Complexity of the Data Stack
Limited access
Limited access
Information Overload
Information Overload
HMW statement
How might we provide people with reliable and authentic information on the modern data stack?
How might we provide people with reliable and authentic information on the modern data stack?
Target users
The target users
The target users
Ideation
Creating the User Flow
Creating the User Flow
To offer a seamless journey for task completion and maximizing the utilization of available features, I created this user-flow:
To offer a seamless journey for task completion and maximizing the utilization of available features, I created this user-flow:
Lo-fi & User-testing
Lo-fi prototypes for user testing and evaluation
Lo-fi prototypes for user testing and evaluation
I prototyped wireframes for user testing, ensuring project alignment with user needs and aiding developers in layout and functionality planning.
I prototyped wireframes for user testing, ensuring project alignment with user needs and aiding developers in layout and functionality planning.
User test results:
Primary feedback on our initial iterations included:
User test results:
Primary feedback on our initial iterations included:
Users found the combination of categories and featured companies overwhelming, with confusing navigation.
The detailed write-up for a category resulted in excessive scrolling, causing usability issues.
Users expressed a desire to view related companies directly on a category detail page.
Concerns were raised about the volume of companies, leading to unlimited scrolling, and users faced confusion in finding specific companies.
Users found the combination of categories and featured companies overwhelming, with confusing navigation.
The detailed write-up for a category resulted in excessive scrolling, causing usability issues.
Users expressed a desire to view related companies directly on a category detail page.
Concerns were raised about the volume of companies, leading to unlimited scrolling, and users faced confusion in finding specific companies.
Solution in detail
The solution — Introducing MDS platform
The solution — Introducing MDS platform
I explored various use cases, identifying the core requirements. In discussions with participants, I recognized the following use cases:
I explored various use cases, identifying the core requirements. In discussions with participants, I recognized the following use cases:
Case 1: Stack details
Case 1: Stack details
There is no option to get all the detailed information about the data stacks in one place about data stacks.
There is no option to get all the detailed information about the data stacks in one place about data stacks.
Neil Williamson - Data scientist
Proposed solution:
Proposed solution:
We added details about data stacks and tools used by several organizations on our website. With this approach, we provided information about how to choose the right data stack for a given business need.
We added details about data stacks and tools used by several organizations on our website. With this approach, we provided information about how to choose the right data stack for a given business need.
Case 2: Stack comparison
Case 2: Stack comparison
It would be nice if we had a reliable source where we could compare and analyze various companies' data stacks.
It would be nice if we had a reliable source where we could compare and analyze various companies' data stacks.
Adam Taylor - Data Analytics
Proposed solution:
Proposed solution:
In every company details page, users will be able to compare similar companies side by side so that they can see the ins and outs of each company and their data stacks.
In every company details page, users will be able to compare similar companies side by side so that they can see the ins and outs of each company and their data stacks.
Case 3: Share your stack
Case 3: Share your stack
If the platform allows, we would love to share the data stack information that we use in our organization!
If the platform allows, we would love to share the data stack information that we use in our organization!
Cecily Johnson - Full Stack Developer
Proposed solution:
Proposed solution:
Users can create data stacks and publish them on the MDS platform, which would help them promote and let their followers know what they are up to with their data stacks. And we'll let the best stack vote in a democratic fashion.
Users can create data stacks and publish them on the MDS platform, which would help them promote and let their followers know what they are up to with their data stacks. And we'll let the best stack vote in a democratic fashion.
Case 4: Influencers
Case 4: Influencers
I would love to connect with the key influential people who can help our organization choose the right data stacks.
I would love to connect with the key influential people who can help our organization choose the right data stacks.
Jacob Brown - Software Architect
Proposed solution:
Proposed solution:
We organize and gather information and contact details of all the key influencers who are affecting the data stack landscape directly or indirectly, which will allow newcomers to expand their network.
We organize and gather information and contact details of all the key influencers who are affecting the data stack landscape directly or indirectly, which will allow newcomers to expand their network.
Here are a few more screens of The Modern Data Stack:
Here are a few more screens of The Modern Data Stack:
Categories
Categories
Data stack categories streamline organization, access, and efficient analysis for quick pattern identification.
Data stack categories streamline organization, access, and efficient analysis for quick pattern identification.
Companies
Companies
Companies with integration details, customer information, and alternatives for quick consumer evaluation.
Companies with integration details, customer information, and alternatives for quick consumer evaluation.
Resources
Resources
A dedicated page for essential stories, articles, and videos on the modern data stack.
A dedicated page for essential stories, articles, and videos on the modern data stack.
Community
Community
Active community discussing and using the modern data stack, sharing best practices and solutions.
Active community discussing and using the modern data stack, sharing best practices and solutions.
Journals
Journals
Delivers insights on recent data stack trends and best practices, including governance and visualization.
Delivers insights on recent data stack trends and best practices, including governance & visualization.
Delivers insights on recent data stack trends and best practices, including governance & visualization.
Podcasts
Podcasts
An education and inspiration source on modern data stack technology, offering insights and trend updates.
An education and inspiration source on modern data stack technology, offering insights and trend updates.
Jobs
Jobs
Here’s a list of of jobs that are associated with the modern data stack including engineers, analysts, architects, etc.
Here’s a list of of jobs that are associated with the modern data stack including engineers, analysts, architects, etc.
Profile
Profile
Users view community activities, vendor affiliations, favorites, and contribute journals or podcasts.
Users view community activities, vendor affiliations, favorites, and contribute journals or podcasts.
Users view community activities, vendor affiliations, favorites, and contribute journals or podcasts.
Typography & colors
The typography and color scheme make it modern and contemporary
The typography and color scheme make it modern and contemporary
Key learnings
My learnings
My learnings
Strategic Roadmapping and Cross-functional Collaboration: Learned and mastered strategic project planning and cross-functional collaboration for organizational alignment and enhanced synergy.
Proficiency in User Testing: Developed proficiency in user-testing methodologies, refining feedback collection and gaining insights into user behavior for informed design decisions and iterative improvements.
Remote Research Competence: Acquired remote research techniques, adept at virtual collaboration challenges, and used innovative tools to gather meaningful data, enhancing research efficiency.
Efficient Design Component Creation: Demonstrated skill in crafting consistent design components, streamlining processes with reusable elements for efficiency and a unified design language.
Strategic Roadmapping and Cross-functional Collaboration: Learned and mastered strategic project planning and cross-functional collaboration for organizational alignment and enhanced synergy.
Proficiency in User Testing: Developed proficiency in user-testing methodologies, refining feedback collection and gaining insights into user behavior for informed design decisions and iterative improvements.
Remote Research Competence: Acquired remote research techniques, adept at virtual collaboration challenges, and used innovative tools to gather meaningful data, enhancing research efficiency.
Efficient Design Component Creation: Demonstrated skill in crafting consistent design components, streamlining processes with reusable elements for efficiency and a unified design language.
That's a wrap! I hope you enjoyed it ✨
That's a wrap! I hope you enjoyed it ✨
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Like what you see? Let’s chat!
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Like what you see? Let’s chat!
Contact me:
Find me on: