DDHC
Data management System
System designed and developed in Microsoft Excel with use of advance VBA code and macros.
Project Overview
The product
This system was voluntarily developed for Religious organisation, Dudjom Dharma House Canberra (DDHC) to keep records of member registration and generate monthly financial transactions.
Project Duration
Nov 2021 - Feb 2022
My Role
UI/UX Designer designing and developing a standalone system for DDHC.
Scope of work
Collaborating with clients, meeting and discussion, iterating on designs and development.
Tools Used
Microsoft Excel (VBA and macros)
The problem
DDHC lacked dedicated system to record their member registration and monthly accounts.
The goal
Design and develop a standalone system for DDHC that allow them to record member data base and provide accurate automated monthly financial transaction.
Process
Brief
Bring it on
Received client briefs and discussion on detail system functioning
including entering new members into the system. Noted project timeline but there
wasn't strict timeline but expected to complete within the financial year
2021-22. Asked client expectation and scope of project.
From the
client's meeting, it was crucial to incorporate three main things in the
system: 1. New member registration, 2. Alert member renewable, and 3. Able to print
report in PDF.
New member registraion
If system could allow to enter new member with automated registration number.
Alert member renewable
If there is a way to alert whose member fees are due to expire/expired.
Report
For all the information entered in the system, generating report in PDF format would help keep proper updated records.
Research
Detective mode
Next, I gathered all the required information and relevant materials for the project from the DDHC Treasurer. Then browsed for inspiration in the internet such as pinterest, Instagram, Behance and Youtube for similar project by keeping the following questions in mind:
- What are the processes, practices, and emotions that people experience around the problem you are trying to solve?
- What are the problems that users still have not solved, as they relate to the product you're designing? What would solving those problems do for users and others?
- How will the product you are designing function within users’ lives?
Ideate
Bringing on table
After gathering sufficient information and inspiration from the
internet, incorporating clear Information
Architecture into my designs using a Sitemap helped to show how sheets are prioritized,
linked, and labeled.
When planning my system in its early stages, it is
important for me to create a clear organizational path. By mapping an outline, I can
see which areas of my site may require more elaborate connectivity to help users
reach the necessary pages. By creating sitemap, it helped to brainstorm and find the
best solution.
Production
Time to work
While designing and developing, I tested application changes which is
critical to increasing the odds of my code working properly when delivered to users.
The best way to know if a feature is likely to break production is by testing
that feature in production.
At this stage, the system was in beta
version and several refinements were made to and forth with real user testing.
Picture of system in development and meeting with client.
Deliver
Handle with care
Before sending design to client, I want to ensure my beta development
is relatively complete. This means colours, sizes, positions and codes should work a
cohesive flow between one sheet to the next.
After successful delivery
and operation, client was fully satisfied with the product and offered me with
certificate of appreciation.
Mock up
Iterate
Not done yet
When there are some minor bugs and troubleshoot in the system, client
make a point to discuss and note the list of problems. This iteration process
continues and are being updated with the new system version.
The current
most up to date system version being DDHC 21.0.07.xlsm
Screenshot of latest version of system.