Transforming Data Management with Business Objects: A Scalable and User-Centric Filtering Solution
The addition of Business Objects to Relay marked a significant improvement in how data flows were managed between endpoints. Relay, a platform enabling data exchanges, needed a solution that allowed users to create reusable connections and dynamically replace data values during delivery. This feature enhanced efficiency, reduced redundancy, and ensured the integrity of delivered data.
The project required solving a technically complex problem with a user-friendly solution. By leveraging thoughtful design, collaborative input, and iterative feedback, we delivered a tool that streamlined operations and provided lasting value to the business.
The existing Relay system had significant limitations that created inefficiencies for users, such as:
1. Redundant Relay Creation — users were forced to create new relays for every minor variation in data filtering. This approach not only slowed down workflows but also led to an overabundance of relays, cluttering the user's view and making management difficult.
Original filtering requiring application at the relay level
2. Lack of Data Customization — There was no way to non-destructively replace data values during delivery. For example, a recipient might expect a health plan code such as BC-101, while the sender had it recorded as Blue Cross Gold-PPO. Without a mechanism for dynamic value replacement, these mismatches could cause errors and disrupt operations.
Original filtering setup and modification
3. Buried Filtering and Options — The existing interface made it difficult for users to discover and use filtering effectively as it ended up being scoped so tightly to each trade and part of the relay itself. This lack of visibility posed challenges such as discoverability, and reusability for both current and future users.
The path a user had to take before seeing anything related to filtering
These issues highlighted the need for a system that simplified connection management by enabling reusable configurations, and supported replacement values for data delivery, ensuring that recipient expectations were met while preserving the sender's original data. Additionally, we knew there was a need to elevate this critical functionality within the UI to improve visibility, usability, and observability, ensuring that users could efficiently manage and leverage these tools.
To tackle these challenges, I used a blend of our just-in-time (JIT) ethos and standard sprint methods to ensure a successful outcome. This approach allowed me to stay flexible and adaptive while maintaining the structure and focus needed to deliver value effectively and on time.
I started by organizing a design charette that included PMs, engineers, and stakeholders. This collaborative workshop helped us establish a shared understanding of the problem and align on functionality, framing, and feasibility. With the product team providing a clear problem statement and a set of acceptance criteria, we worked on creating a strong foundation for the project. These discussions clarified our goals and set the tone for a highly collaborative process.
Once the charette was complete, I used the ouput document to began sketching initial interface concepts, focusing on how users could build filters and configure replacement values. This was done in close collaberation with the product team due to the complexity of systems. Following our sprint process, I scheduled regular check-ins with the charette participants to gather feedback and ensure we stayed aligned throughout the design process. Each iteration of my work was informed by the team's input, allowing us to refine the designs quickly and effectively.
As the API was being developed in parallel, I worked closely with engineers to ensure our designs aligned with technical capabilities and could be implemented seamlessly. I also sought continuous feedback from Product to ensure designs remained focused and aligned with our acceptance criteria. This constant back-and-forth allowed us to stay grounded in both user experience and technical feasibility.
To ensure smooth delivery, I worked with the product team in advance to brake the functionality into smaller, manageable pieces that we could implement, test, and deliver incrementally. This approach allowed us to deliver value sooner, iterate based on any early feedback, and reduce risk throughout the process. By tackling the work in smaller chunks, we stayed agile and adaptable, adjusting as needed while maintaining forward momentum.
This process was both collaborative and iterative, blending prototyping, teamwork, and feedback into a seamless approach. Together, we developed a solution that balanced user needs with technical feasibility, creating a product that lowered the technical bar, elevated visibility, and provided a mechanism to leverage replacement values.
My standard design sprint process can be compressed into days or expanded to weeks
The result was a new “Objects” tab in Relay that provided a robust and user-friendly solution:
1. Reusable Connections — Users could now build complex reusable filtering to use across multiple data flows, eliminating the need for redundant relays.
Rough idea for controlling endpoint additions to a business object as a filter
The new method of filtering leverages endpoints to "Opt in/out" of sending data
2. Dynamic Replacement Values — The interface allowed users to configure specific non-destructive values that would be replaced during data delivery. For example, mismatched health plan codes or column headers could be dynamically adjusted to meet recipient expectations without altering the sender's original data.
Custom value configuration within Business Objects
3. Elevated and Intuitive Filtering Tools — The redesigned UI made it simple and intuitive for users to locate and utilize filtering and replacement value features effectively.
Custom value configuration within Business Objects
The interface was designed to reflect the workflows and language familiar to users in back-office health organizations and present a clear and intuitive process for configuring replacement values, ensuring that even complex operations could be managed with ease.
This solution fundamentally changed how users interacted with Relay, making it more powerful, flexible, and scalable.
A look at part of the business objects interface (specifically the details)
This project demonstrated the power of a collaborative and iterative approach to solving complex challenges. By focusing on clear communication, continuous feedback, and thoughtful design, we were able to create a solution that not only addressed immediate user needs but also laid the groundwork for future improvements. The success of this project was rooted in the strong partnership between design, product, and engineering, with each team bringing unique expertise that contributed to a technically feasible and user-friendly solution. Regular feedback loops ensured the designs evolved in alignment with user needs and technical constraints, reducing rework and improving the final product. Thoughtful design became a catalyst for change, as addressing user pain points allowed us to solve immediate problems while delivering a solution that provided long-term value and scalability.
In the end, the project underscored the importance of aligning technical feasibility with user-centric design. By leveraging teamwork and iterative problem-solving, we delivered a solution that was intuitive, efficient, and scalable, leaving a lasting impact on how users accomplish their work and the overall success of the organization.
For me this project demonstrated the power of a collaborative and iterative approach to solving complex challenges. By focusing on clear communication, continuous feedback, and thoughtful design, we were able to create a solution that not only addressed immediate user needs but also laid the groundwork for future improvements.
1. Collaboration is Key — The success of this project was rooted in the strong partnership between design, product, and engineering. Each team brought unique expertise that contributed to a technically feasible and user-friendly solution.
2. Iterative Design Works — Regular feedback loops ensured that the designs evolved in alignment with our user needs and technical constraints. The end result was a solution that balanced usability, flexibility, and technical feasibility — one that could only have been achieved through an iterative process that allowed us to refine ideas and adapt to challenges at every stage.
3. Design as a Catalyst for Change — Thoughtful design allowed us to go beyond solving immediate user pain points, enabling the creation of a solution that not only addressed present challenges but also delivered long-term value and scalability. By prioritizing user needs and forward-thinking design principles, we transformed obstacles into opportunities for lasting improvement.
In the end, the project underscored the importance of aligning technical feasibility with user focused design. By leveraging teamwork and iterative problem solving, we delivered a solution that was intuitive, efficient, and scalable, leaving a lasting impact on how users get work done and the success of the organization.