Project Overview

Intro

OpenPie PieCloud DB is a next-generation platform designed to empower users with efficient, intuitive, and visually compelling tools for managing databases, querying data, and maintaining operational excellence. It simplifies complex workflows for data scientists, engineers, and business analysts, ensuring both scalability and usability.


This case study explores the challenges, solutions, and impact of design transformations implemented across various functionalities of PieCloud DB.

Team

OpenPie


PieCloudDB Dev Team


Timeline

Sep 2022 - Oct 2023

Responsibilities

UX Research

User Test

Web Design

Data Visualization

Client

Data Analysts in cooperations


Context

What is PieCloud DB

OpenPie PieCloud DB provides a robust platform to manage, visualize, and query data efficiently. With features ranging from advanced role management to interactive dashboards, the platform addresses the evolving needs of modern data workflows.

Design Impact

Boosted Operational Efficiency

Redesigned workflows across multiple modules reduced query and management times by an average of 35%

Enhanced User Satisfaction

Streamlined and intuitive interfaces led to increased user confidence and significantly decreased error rates.

Improved System Visibility

Advanced data visualizations and simplified layouts empowered users to understand and act upon insights faster

Data Insight

Problem

The first version (see "before", drag the dividine line all the way to the right) has a confusing layout with ambiguous buttons and restricted data visibility.

Solution

The updated version (see "after", drag the dividine line all the way to the left) introduced a folding-line layout for better flexibility and clarity. Added an intuitive execution history view.

Impact

Improved task efficiency and reduced user confusion significantly.

Query Plan

Problem

Original design was disorganized and overly technical, presenting SQL execution plans as dense text and disconnected visuals. Users found it difficult to understand execution steps, spot inefficiencies, or identify resource-intensive processes, leading to wasted time and misinterpretations.

Solution

The new query plan (see second image) introduces an intuitive, hierarchical tree visualization. Each step in the execution plan is represented by clear, color-coded nodes (e.g., aggregate, filter, split), with execution times and percentages prominently displayed. A side panel provides contextual insights into the most expensive nodes and execution statistics, empowering users to make quick optimizations.

Impact

Users now grasp query execution logic at a glance, reducing debugging time and improving database performance. The visual hierarchy and accompanying statistics provide actionable insights, enabling users to optimize resource usage and streamline complex queries efficiently.

User Role

Problem

The original role management interface was cluttered and confusing, with floating boxes and disconnected privileges. Administrators struggled to understand role inheritance and permissions, leading to errors and inefficiencies.

Solution

The redesigned interface introduces a clear relationship diagram with roles arranged hierarchically and arrows indicating inheritance. Permissions are consolidated into a single panel, where admins can easily grant or revoke privileges with one click.

Impact

The streamlined design significantly reduces admin errors, accelerates onboarding, and improves security by providing a clear, intuitive overview of roles and permissions.

Query History

Problem

The original Query History was cluttered and lacked key functionalities. Users faced challenges navigating the data, interpreting execution outcomes, and filtering queries effectively. The design also missed a streamlined way to view detailed SQL execution results, leading to inefficiencies and errors.

Solution

The redesigned Query History simplifies navigation with clear, color-coded query statuses (success and failure) for quick interpretation. A new inline expandable feature allows users to view query details and copy code directly without switching screens. Enhanced visual clarity ensures that critical information, like execution time and result size, is easily accessible.

Impact

The improved design dramatically enhances user productivity by reducing time spent searching for queries by 40%. The detailed execution view decreases user errors when analyzing SQL outcomes.

Grant Permission

Problem

The original interface was clunky and confusing, causing frequent errors when assigning roles, objects, and privileges. Admins struggled to navigate the scattered fields, slowing their workflow.

Solution

The redesigned interface simplifies the process with a clear, step-by-step flow. Dropdowns, categorized suggestions, and pre-filled fields make role and privilege selection intuitive and error-free.

Impact

Permission assignment became 40% faster (according to internal tests by Data Analysts), with significantly fewer errors. Admins now complete tasks with confidence and efficiency, enhancing overall system usability.

Usage History

Problem

The initial design made tracking data relationships and usage paths challenging. Users were often confused by scattered fields and limited customization options for mapping and expressions

Solution

The redesign introduces a clean, interactive workflow. Users can easily define relationships, apply joins, and create custom expressions within a streamlined toolbar. The visual connectors clearly display the flow of data transformations, making the process intuitive.

Impact

Data mapping efficiency improved by 45%, with users gaining clarity in creating complex relationships and transformations. The redesign significantly enhanced usability and reduced onboarding time for new users.

Data Overview

Problem

The initial data dashboard presented information in a fragmented and overly simplistic way. The lack of segmentation for key performance metrics like CPU, memory, and disk usage left users spending excessive time navigating for insights. Moreover, node status information was vague, hindering quick decision-making during system monitoring.

Solution

The redesigned dashboard offers a clean, modular layout that consolidates all critical metrics in one view. Node statuses are now categorized into “Normal” and “Fault,” with percentages for better clarity. Performance metrics such as CPU, memory usage, and disk wait are displayed in separate, interactive trend graphs, ensuring clear visualization over time.

Impact

The new interface has significantly streamlined system monitoring. Users can now grasp system performance at a glance, reducing analysis time by 30%. The categorized node status reduces troubleshooting time and enhances system reliability, fostering better decision-making under pressure.

Collaborative Leadership

Driving Adoption of Design Tools

  • Transitioned teams from Jira and engineering-driven tools to Figma.

  • Conducted training sessions for PMs and engineers, emphasizing the advantages of a collaborative design environment.

Cross-Functional Synergy

  • Worked closely with PMs and engineers to align on user pain points and technical feasibility.

  • Bridged gaps between design vision and engineering implementation, ensuring seamless integration.

  • Wear the technical user's hat