Enhancing 'My Profile' Navigation In Altinn & Dialogporten

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Enhancing 'My Profile' Navigation in Altinn & Dialogporten: A UX Upgrade

Hey folks! Let's dive into a common user experience snag in Altinn and Dialogporten, specifically within the 'My Profile' section. The goal is to make navigation smoother, especially for mobile users. The issue? Currently, on the 'My Profile' start page, there isn't an easy way to jump into different sections without relying solely on the left-hand menu. This can be a pain, especially on mobile, where that menu vanishes, leaving users a bit stranded.

The Bug: Navigational Bottleneck in 'My Profile'

The core problem here is the lack of direct navigation options from the 'My Profile' landing page. Imagine you're on your phone, trying to quickly access your 'Actors' or check your 'Notifications.' Without the left-hand menu constantly visible, you're stuck. You've got to find your way back to it, which can be a real user experience drag. This is where the magic of the solution comes into play, making things easier for everyone.

We're talking about a design hiccup that impacts usability, particularly on smaller screens. This limits how easily users can get to crucial information. Let's make it more user-friendly.

Proposed Solution: A Content-Driven Navigation Approach

To address this, the suggested solution involves expanding the 'My Profile' homepage with a set of quick-access settings. Think of it as a dashboard within a dashboard. This approach will give users direct access to key sections. Specifically, we're looking at adding the following:

  1. My Actors: This section provides a brief overview of the user's actors, including a concise explanation of what actors are. It can also display a badge summarizing the number of actors the user is associated with. That instant count is a total game-changer, keeping users in the know. And by providing context, we ensure users understand what they're looking at, no matter their tech level.
  2. My Notifications: This area will provide a summary of the user's notifications. This includes an explanation of what the notifications are and the option to add a badge to summarize the number of contact points. Keeping people informed about their notifications quickly and efficiently is a core function.
  3. More Settings: This will give the user an easy way to go to more in-depth settings.

Visual Example: Desktop and Mobile Enhancements

Let's paint a picture. The design will be similar on both desktop and mobile, ensuring consistency across devices. Users get the same intuitive experience, regardless of how they access the platform. Here are the before and after examples:

  • Current State: Imagine the current 'My Profile' layout as is. You land on the page, and the left-hand menu is your main navigation lifeline. On mobile, this menu can disappear, which can make it hard to navigate.
  • Proposed State: The redesigned 'My Profile' page adds quick access options. On the main page, you can see 'My Actors,' 'My Notifications,' and 'More Settings.' It’s the dashboard within a dashboard that gets you where you need to go directly. This ensures that users can jump from the start page to the sections they need. The idea is to make the entire experience smoother. It’s all about putting the essential information right where users need it, no matter the device.

Desktop Example

On the desktop, the changes will look more user-friendly by creating navigation links on the main page. This will give users easy access to the information they need.

Mobile Example

Even on mobile, the new design will function by putting quick-access options on the start page, which is similar to the desktop. The whole experience should be smoother.

Steps to Reproduce the Issue

To see the issue in action, all you need to do is:

  1. Open the 'My Profile' section on a mobile device. Think of it as your phone or tablet.
  2. Try to navigate to your 'Actors' or your 'Notifications.'

See how easy it is to reproduce the issue. It clearly shows the problem and why this proposed solution is needed. It’s a usability issue that can be easily fixed with a few design tweaks. It is all about the user.

Additional Considerations and Benefits of the Changes

The enhancements to 'My Profile' aren't just about fixing a navigation problem. They're about improving the overall user experience within the Altinn and Dialogporten platforms. Here’s why these changes are so important:

  • Enhanced Accessibility: By providing direct links to key sections, we make it easier for all users, including those who may have accessibility needs, to quickly access the information and settings they require. This inclusive design ensures that the platform is usable for everyone.
  • Improved User Engagement: When users can find what they need quickly and efficiently, they're more likely to engage with the platform. This leads to increased satisfaction and a better overall user experience.
  • Consistency Across Devices: The consistent design across both desktop and mobile devices ensures that users have a seamless experience, no matter how they access the platform. This consistency is crucial for building trust and ensuring that users can easily navigate the platform, regardless of the device they use.
  • Reduced Cognitive Load: By offering quick access to the most important sections, the redesigned 'My Profile' reduces the cognitive load on users. This means that users don’t have to spend as much time and effort trying to find what they need, leading to a more positive experience.
  • Better Information Management: With clear summaries and quick links, users can better manage their actors and notifications. This is especially important for users who regularly interact with multiple actors or receive a high volume of notifications.
  • Scalability: The new design is scalable. It can easily accommodate additional features or sections in the future without compromising the user experience. This scalability ensures that the platform can adapt to changing needs over time.

The Bottom Line

The proposed updates to the 'My Profile' section in Altinn and Dialogporten are more than just cosmetic changes. They're about making the platform easier to use, more accessible, and more efficient for all users, especially those on mobile devices. By adding quick access options, the platform can streamline navigation. They're about providing a better overall experience. By enhancing navigation, you're not just improving the user experience; you're ensuring that users can easily interact with the platform. This will lead to a more satisfied user base, encouraging better engagement and overall platform usage. This is a win-win for everyone involved!