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IBM Application
When Adam Kallish was in discussions with the IBM Storage Division to join as a senior information architect, they asked me to take a two day practicum test to evaluate my design skills. This took the form of three parts : they showed him three computer screens to analyze for usability ; gave five data points concerning storage and asked him to develop a concept dashboard ; provided an illustration of a SONAS Storage System and to exactly match it.
Adam's overall analysis was that the language of managing virtual and physical storage systems at an enterprise level requires a level of technical knowledge. The taxonomic structure and nomenclature in this screen is highly specialized for a specific user, and not geared to a user that does not live this function day in and day out. I highlighted eight specific heuristic problems with the supplied screen.
Adam was given the back of the SONAS system and he wanted to show the front of the system so that it provided a new perspective of the illustration.
When reviewing the criteria of a storage system screen from IBM, it emphasized the relationship between virtual and physical capacities through storage segments. The relationships between parent and child storage units reminded me of harmonic relationships in music or in geometry. The storage capacities area show both virtual and physical storage usage. Using circles = whole. The whole is then broken down into smaller concentric circles that are sub-divided into child storage relationships with both total TiB and % comparisons.
Methods & Practices
Adam approached each part by observing, reflecting and making. First he reviewed the three computer screens screens and knew that they were older HTML web pages of storage solutions. I then reflected that these storage screens were providing storage status and created his own situational awareness as an active user of storage solutions.
He then used heuristic principals as an evaluative model to highlight basic or advanced usability problems. For generating a storage dashboard concept, the data that they provided supported a specific narrative for a user to be able to understand their storage environment. This allowed a user to create a possible information architecture and use visualizations to accelerate visibility and control over their storage environment. For the illustration of the SONAS Storage System, Adam used his digital illustration skills to quickly mock up a copy of the server.
Impact & Outcome
Adam presented the package to 20 storage personnel from around the world. Unfortunately, the IBM Smart Cloud did not work so he had to talk through the package with an IBMer using the file he sent for all other participants to see. The conversation lasted 90 minutes and when Adam debriefed with his new manager, he said it was the most comprehensive, detailed and well thought out package that they had seen to date.
Project Downloads
This is the final PDF that I suppled for review by IBM Storage management and UX leadership, which was well received.
Initial IBM Application Package