Developing an open-source web platform to streamline reservations for virtual video conferencing rooms for Slovenia's national research and education network.
ARNES is Slovenia's national research and education network, running the country's backbone infrastructure—networks, data centers, and supercomputers—and linking Slovenian scholars to global resources through the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).
Students, educators, and researchers across all educational levels, from kindergarten to top-tier research institutions. Users require an accessible and cost-efficient solution to book and share resources efficiently.
Objective: Evaluate existing booking platforms to identify patterns, gaps, or usability issues
Tools Analyzed: Calendly, Microsoft Outlook, Zoom, etc.
Criteria:
Insights:
Objective: Understand how users experience current booking systems
Participants: 5 users across research & education sectors
Method: Semi-structured interviews (In-person & virtual)
Key Themes:
Takeaway: Need streamlined booking experience that eliminates repetitive tasks
Testing Setup:
Tasks Tested:
✓ Tasks that were familiar and similar to other products were intuitive for users
✓ Data presentation was understood easily
✗ Users hesitated using buttons that weren't visually clear
How can we implement this in a way that is intuitive?
How can we let the user know they succeeded in a task?
How can we clarify what actions a user can perform?
What are the simplest ways we can present data?
Common pain points involved lack of visual clarity and unfamiliarity. Following existing protocols from similar programs makes it more likely for the user to know how to use a new program from the get-go. Ensuring that important buttons are easy to find and clear saves the user time and confusion. To solve this issue, simplifying the process for users is vital.