Reducing biases in usibility studies through UX Research and testing

Overview

NUX is a data management system redesign project developed at HEC Montréal in 2025. The challenge was to rethink how users interact with complex datasets — reducing cognitive load while increasing efficiency and clarity across enterprise workflows.

The Problem

Legacy data management interfaces were causing significant friction for users. Navigation was unintuitive, information hierarchy was unclear, and critical actions were buried under layers of menus. Users were spending more time managing the system than using it.

Research & Discovery

A series of user interviews, heuristic evaluations, and competitive analyses were conducted to map the core pain points. Key findings revealed that users struggled most with onboarding, bulk data operations, and understanding system status at a glance.

Design Process

The design process began with low-fidelity wireframes to validate structural changes early. Multiple iterations were tested with real users, refining the navigation model, introducing progressive disclosure, and establishing a consistent visual language across all screens.

Key Design Decisions

A persistent sidebar navigation replaced the previous tab-based system, giving users a clear mental model of the application's structure. Data tables were redesigned with inline editing, smart filters, and contextual actions — reducing the number of steps needed for common tasks by over 40%.

Outcome

The redesigned NUX system received strong positive feedback during usability testing. Task completion rates improved significantly, and the new onboarding flow reduced time-to-first-action by an estimated 60%. The project demonstrated how intentional UX decisions can transform complex data tools into intuitive experiences.