Product Design

Product Design

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Global Search

Global Search

Role

Product Designer

Duration

March 2023 - November 2023

Problem

Currently, VMware offers no ability to search for services or resources. When users need to find objects or capabilities across their VMware Cloud ecosystem, they must have a high level of VMware expertise in order to find what they're looking for.

The Global Search project aims to create a unified and efficient search experience across all VMware services.

Lost customers = Loss of customers

Lost customers = Loss of customers

New users feel lost when navigating across their VMware ecosystem.

New users feel lost when navigating across their VMware ecosystem.

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Competitive Analysis

With a short timeline to develop a proof of concept (POC), we focused on conducting a competitive analysis and gathering relevant user analytics. We collected different search experiences from the following companies.

Wireframes & Iterations

During weekly meetings, I presented my iterations to the team where we discussed design decisions, project goals, and feasibility.

During weekly meetings, I presented my iterations to the team where we discussed design decisions, project goals, and feasibility.

Side Panel Option

In the early design phase, we explored two key options for the location of the global search feature. A side panel search would work for a short-term option as it was already developed for a previous use case.



In the early design phase, we explored two key options for the location of the global search feature. A side panel search would work for a short-term option as it was already developed for a previous use case.



In the early design phase, we explored two key options for the location of the global search feature. A side panel search would work for a short-term option as it was already developed for a previous use case.

Center Search Bar Option

However, we chose the centered bar for its broader space, ideal for displaying more robust search results. It's also more familiar, making it easier for users to find and use.

However, we chose the centered bar for its broader space, ideal for displaying more robust search results. It's also more familiar, making it easier for users to find and use.

No Results Found

Our team wanted to make sure to provide a call to action (CTA) at dead ends. When customers cannot find what they're searching for, we can use this as an opportunity to understand our customer's expectations. This connects to a database where we store everything that was search for.

Our team wanted to make sure to provide a call to action (CTA) at dead ends. When customers cannot find what they're searching for, we can use this as an opportunity to understand our customer's expectations. This connects to a database where we store everything that was search for.

Final Mockup & Proof of Concept (POC)

Final Mockup & Proof of Concept (POC)

To get stakeholder buy-in from other teams, we created a proof of concept to demonstrate the value of the search. We established the POC within VMware’s Cloud Console where customers first land before accessing other VMware services.

To get stakeholder buy-in from other teams, we created a proof of concept to demonstrate the value of the search. We established the POC within VMware’s Cloud Console where customers first land before accessing other VMware services.

User Survey

User Survey

User Survey

One month after the POC search feature went live in staging, I created a survey to gather insights and create a roster of participants for future user interviews/usability testing.

One month after the POC search feature went live in staging, I created a survey to gather insights and create a roster of participants for future user interviews/usability testing.

Results & Impact

Following the user survey, I presented my findings to important stakeholders at VMware.

Following the user survey, I presented my findings to important stakeholders at VMware.

76% of customers wanted results from all their services.

Our team had differing views on this, and the results helped us align moving forward.

Our team had differing views on this, and the results helped us align moving forward.

89% of customers said they would search for resources the most.

No one expected this on our team and it shifted our direction for the global search project.

No one expected this on our team and it shifted our direction for the global search project.

There is a need for a single place to manage resources.‍

Multiple customers mentioned a lack of resource management without a question prompting this subject. This could lead to initiating a project for resource management in the future.

Multiple customers mentioned a lack of resource management without a question prompting this subject. This could lead to initiating a project for resource management in the future.

Reflections

Highlights

Through each stage of the project, our team worked extremely well together. Disagreements were resolved quickly and each voice was valued equally. We now have over 100 customers who are willing to participate in interviews and usability testing. Through the POC and research, this initiative has opened the door to VMware services acting as one rather than as separate entities.

Improvements

Getting other services on board with adding a search proved difficult. Being cautious of simultaneous searches leading to a crash, we had to move much slower with a rollout approach. Although a POC was requested, we could have started the user survey before working on the design.

Reflections

Highlights

Through each stage of the project, our team worked extremely well together. Disagreements were resolved quickly and each voice was valued equally. We now have over 100 customers who are willing to participate in interviews and usability testing. Through the POC and research, this initiative has opened the door to VMware services acting as one rather than as separate entities.

Improvements

Getting other services on board with adding a search proved difficult. Being cautious of simultaneous searches leading to a crash, we had to move much slower with a rollout approach. Although a POC was requested, we could have started the user survey before working on the design.

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