Overview
The credit management portal for coeo incasso was a project focused on creating an analytical dashboard and management tool for clients to monitor, analyze, and manage their credit portfolios. This portal needed to provide powerful insights while remaining accessible and usable for clients with varying levels of technical expertise.
Building on the design principles established in previous coeo projects, this portal needed to balance analytical depth with clarity, providing sophisticated data visualization and management tools without overwhelming users.
The Challenge
The existing credit management tools suffered from several critical issues:
Information overload: Dashboards presented too much data at once, making it difficult for users to identify key insights or take action.
Lack of guidance: Users struggled to understand what actions to take based on the data presented, leading to underutilization of available tools.
Poor data visualization: Complex data was presented in ways that were difficult to interpret, especially for users without strong analytical backgrounds.
Limited customization: Users couldn't customize views or focus on metrics most relevant to their specific needs.
Accessibility barriers: The analytical interface wasn't designed with accessibility in mind, limiting usability for some users.
Research & Discovery
User Research
I conducted research with different types of users:
Portfolio managers: Users who manage large credit portfolios needed comprehensive analytics and bulk action capabilities.
Financial analysts: Users who analyze trends and patterns needed advanced filtering, comparison tools, and export capabilities.
Business owners: Smaller clients needed simplified views that highlighted key metrics and actionable insights.
Support staff: Internal and client support staff needed clear information to help answer questions and guide users.
Key Insights
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Users want actionable insights, not just data: Presenting data isn't enough—users need clear recommendations and next steps.
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Different users need different views: A one-size-fits-all dashboard doesn't work; users need customizable views based on their role and needs.
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Progressive disclosure is essential: Start with high-level insights and allow users to drill down into details when needed.
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Visual hierarchy matters: Use design to guide attention to the most important information first.
Design Process
Design Principles
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Insights over data: Prioritize actionable insights and recommendations over raw data presentation.
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Progressive disclosure: Start with high-level overviews and allow users to explore details progressively.
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Customizable views: Enable users to configure dashboards and views based on their specific needs and workflows.
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Clear visual hierarchy: Use design principles to guide attention and make complex information scannable.
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Accessibility throughout: Ensure analytical tools are accessible to all users, including those using assistive technologies.
Information Architecture
The portal is organized around key user tasks:
Overview dashboard: High-level metrics and trends at a glance.
Portfolio management: Tools for managing individual accounts and bulk actions.
Analytics and reporting: Advanced analytics, filtering, and export capabilities.
Settings and configuration: Customization options for views, alerts, and preferences.
Key Features & Solutions
Intelligent Dashboard
A customizable dashboard that presents key metrics and insights based on user role and preferences, with clear visual hierarchy and actionable recommendations.
Advanced Analytics
Powerful analytical tools with intuitive filtering, comparison capabilities, and clear data visualizations that make complex information accessible.
Portfolio Management Tools
Efficient tools for managing credit portfolios, including bulk actions, status updates, and workflow management.
Responsive Design
The portal works seamlessly across devices, allowing users to monitor and manage portfolios from desktop, tablet, or mobile devices.
Accessibility
Full WCAG 2.1 AA compliance ensures the analytical portal is accessible to all users, including those using screen readers and other assistive technologies.
Technical Considerations
Responsive design: The portal is fully responsive, ensuring usability across all devices and screen sizes.
Performance optimization: Fast load times and efficient data handling ensure the portal remains responsive even with large datasets.
Data visualization: Clear, accessible data visualizations that work with assistive technologies.
Real-time updates: Live data updates and notifications keep users informed of important changes.
Security and privacy: High security standards for financial data, with clear privacy controls and compliance measures.
Outcomes & Impact
The credit management portal provides clients with powerful analytical tools while maintaining clarity and accessibility, enabling better decision-making and more efficient portfolio management.
Lessons Learned
This project demonstrated the importance of balancing analytical depth with usability, and the value of progressive disclosure when presenting complex data. Designing for accessibility in analytical tools requires careful consideration of how data is presented and how users interact with it.