IBM Research Almaden Genomics

 

 
 

Almaden Genomics is a science product group from IBM Research, with the vision to expedite current genetic engineering process through product. The team aims to convert current engineering heavy gnome pipeline process into a no-code workflow builder. That not only allows less technically advanced researchers to participate in pipeline building, but also leverage tech to bring more efficiency to the process for others in the field. My design team and I play a crucial role in our project to transform the gnome pipeline building experience.

 

Project

Duration: 11 months
Role: Sr UX Designer
I worked with Bioinformaticians, Clients, PM, Engineers, Visual Designer
Problem Area: Bioinformatics Workflow

 
 

Key Insights

 

Out of the initial user groups we researched, besides technical limitations being the biggest constraint in genomics pipeline building. Here are some other areas where users get frustrated during the process:

  1. Tedious file organization prep before building

  2. Continuously test pipeline to meet expected behavior

  3. Troubleshoot for errors

 
 

Now, we understand the pain points across different user groups, that we could help address on the user experience end. However, we need to first establish an information architecture that allows users to navigate smoothly while satisfying their building process.

Our team came together in Mural, using card to represent each information piece we need in the product. Out of 4 different information structures we sketched out to explore different possibilities of navigations, and received feedback from our cross-functional teams. This is the one that our entire team felt most confident moving forward with.

 

We did a decomposition of the information architecture, and summarized the screens we need in our product. Then we brainstormed via sketching for each of them. We diverged to sketch out as many options as we could on our own, and we converged back to critique and vote on the option we want to move forward with.

 

Design Deliverables

 
 
 

Team’s Success

  • Converted first alpha partner into paying customer for Almaden Genomics

  • Received IBM Ventures funding through quarterly check-Ins

Design Impact

  • Internally aligned cross-functional team on product vision through design deliverables

  • Externally showcase product potential to IBM Ventures through high fidelity prototypes

Learned a ton, here are some major takeaways

  • A consistent design process helps maximize accuracy in deliverables

  • Large challenges can be breakdown into actionable steps

  • Sketching is important, ideate in analog format allows thinking outside of Figma
    constraints and move efficiently