challenge:

User research exposed that Azure Quantum Workspace creation was arduous and confusing, with many points of friction leaving users frustrated, unsure of how to proceed and abandoning the workflow. Additionally, we found opportunity to align with the Azure framework and design system.

goal:

Mitigate abandonment and gain user trust by removing ambiguity and clutter and aligning with the Azure framework design system. The intent was to provide a more efficient, intuitive experience through clear calls to action and affordances, and enable a better understanding of requirements and the task at hand.

process:

User research, team collaboration, design socialization, UX design, iteration

results:

• A workspace quick create path was added to remove the need for heavy decisions during workspace creation. This resulted in a workspace completion rate increase from 35% to over 70%.

• Placeholder text added to provide users with input requirement examples.

• The incorporation of multiple provider’s Terms of service acceptance into one decision, mitigated user’s need to click into each provider to accept individually.

• Text revisions enabled more concise guidance and better user comprehension.

• Standardization of provider logos and content enabled a cleaner UI experience for users and a more professional presentation for providers.

• Better alignment with the Azure framework enabled users with previously learned behaviors
  

advanced create:

quick create:

my role:

User Research, design socialization, UX design, Facilitation with Engineering

challenge:

User research indicated that the Overview page and Getting Started content were confusing and overwhelming. First-time users had trouble finding the easiest way to start and submit their first job. All participants chose the "Local configuration" method to set up their environment and submit jobs through the command line, rather than using the simpler notebook option in Azure Quantum UI. Additionally, experienced users found it hard to locate the Quota Utilization and Job Activity sections, which were near the Getting Started content.

goal:

Highlight an easier pathway to submit a first job using notebooks in Azure Quantum UI. Revise page messaging and page design to better delineate between first run, subsequent use, and highly advanced options.

process:

User research, team collaboration, design socialization, UX design

results:

• The removal of first-run obstacles and presenting the primary CTA front and center with more descriptive and accurate messaging, resulted in a higher rate of success with over x3 job submission rate increase.

• Quota usage was redesigned and moved from Overview page to Operations side menu and co-located with credit usage content. This presented a more intuitive ingress point and a more holistic view of usage.

• Text revisions enabled more concise guidance and enabled a higher user confidence and trust with better user comprehension.
  

my role:

User research, design socialization, UX design, Facilitation with Engineering

challenge:

User research showed that while the sample gallery had a clear purpose, users struggled to find relevant content and navigate the workflow process using the samples. Many found it hard to access the more advanced samples, leading to low engagement with the page and fewer job submissions from the gallery.

goal:

Provide engaging content that enables users to learn while completing tasks and submitting jobs using the samples provided.

process:

User research, team collaboration, design socialization, UX design, iteration

results:

• Introductory content added as “hello world” samples. User research validated a high percentage of users utilize the Sample gallery for learning opportunities and comprehension of Azure Quantum’s broad offerings.

• Categorization of samples and standardization of content presentation provided easier page read, better usability and easier maintainability for engineering.

• Provider selection feature added to hello world samples to demonstrate the provider agnostic aspects of Azure Quantum.
  

my role:

User research, design socialization, UX design, Facilitation with Engineering

goal:

Enable users to easily understand their credits and quotas usage per workspace and subscription, and in relation to their selected provider plan. Provide easy access to upgrade / increase amounts.

results:

Users could more intuitively account for both credit and quota usage in order to plan for any usage needs and associated costs. This enabled users to be better informed their respective funding conversations.

my role:

User research, design socialization, UX design, Facilitation with Engineering