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Anticipated Outcomes
→ 0 to 50,000 active users
We project the user base to grow to 50,000 active users as the platform gains traction among families looking for a centralized communication and task management solution.
→ 0 to 10,000 daily tasks managed
The dashboard is expected to streamline family routines, allowing users to manage over 10,000 tasks daily, increasing efficiency and organization.
→ 0 to 30,000 messages exchanged per month
We anticipate 30,000+ messages exchanged monthly, improving communication between family members and reducing missed or forgotten tasks and events.
→ 0 to 15,000 calendar events scheduled
With the introduction of task prioritization and event reminders, families are projected to schedule 15,000+ events per month, improving time management.
→ 0 to 3,500 support tickets resolved
We predict a high user satisfaction rate with 3,500+ support tickets being resolved, thanks to an intuitive interface and a simplified support system.
→ 0 to 40% improvement in family coordination
By streamlining communication and task management, the platform is expected to improve family coordination by up to 40%, enhancing overall family productivity and satisfaction.
Olha has amazing talent and knows how to bring your vision to life. She has a vast knowledge of design and stays up-to-date with the ins and outs of interactive design. She will always be my go-to when I want to put a team together for a new project.
Casi Mewborn
Founder & CEO
The Starting Point
In 2019, I identified a challenge for admins of family marketplaces—managing user accounts, tracking engagement, and ensuring smooth platform operation. I partnered with FamHub Network to create a streamlined solution for these admins.
Through user interviews, we discovered that existing tools were either too generic or overly complex, lacking the specific features needed for family marketplace management.
Admins' Initial Problems:
Unclear Data Structure
As a product built from scratch, there was a need to establish a clear and intuitive way to organize family resources and key metrics, which was initially absent.
Lack of Efficient Notifications
A reliable system for timely alerts and updates was missing, making it difficult for admins to stay informed about important activities within the platform.
Non-Intuitive User Interface
The lack of a streamlined design and clear navigation paths made it challenging for administrators to efficiently manage and monitor family connections and resources.
Limited Management Control
Admins lacked granular control over user roles and permissions, making it difficult to manage access to family resources and maintain a structured hierarchy within the platform.
Audience Deep Dive
Designing a dashboard for family marketplace admins is like crafting a tailored system to simplify complex tasks.
We began by defining our vision with key questions: “What are the admins' core needs?” and “How can we make their workflows more efficient?” Our goal was to create a solution that goes beyond basic dashboards and addresses the specific challenges of family marketplaces.
To validate our assumptions, we interviewed 30+ marketplace admins and platform managers.
From the insights, we focused on two primary challenges:
Managing large-scale user data
Tracking and optimizing platform engagement
These insights shaped a solution that empowered admins with clearer oversight and better decision-making capabilities.
Big Bumps in the Admin Journey
Understanding the admin journey is essential, especially at key stages like: Onboarding → Engagement → Retention → Optimization.
For admins in the Onboarding stage, the goal was to offer simple, accessible tools to get started. For those in the Engagement and Retention stages, we focused on providing real-time data and customizable insights to make informed decisions.
We grouped admins based on their level of engagement and interaction with the platform:
New Admins: Struggling with tasks.
Active Admins: Need detailed analytics.
Experienced Admins: Want advanced features.
Early Mixed Signals
Managing parent communications, scheduling events, and tracking participation was inefficient. Admins struggled with scattered tools and manual processes, leading to delays and miscommunication.
"We need a dashboard where we can organize everything—right now, it's too fragmented."
“Sending updates to parents should be fast and effortless, not a back-and-forth process.”
To validate these concerns, I conducted interviews with dashboard administrators responsible for managing parent communication and engagement. The findings revealed a critical gap. Current tools lacked automation, streamlined workflows, and real-time interaction visibility.
MVP Testing
To move fast, I led the design of an interactive prototype and facilitated usability tests with admins who manage large parent groups.
The goal was to understand:
What tasks take up the most time?
Where do admins struggle when coordinating with parents?
What features would drive efficiency and adoption?
Key insight: Admins needed a centralized, action-driven dashboard—not just a reporting tool.
Core Features Iteration
1. A Dashboard Built for Speed & Clarity
The homepage had to provide real-time oversight, enabling admins to:
Schedule & manage events: Instantly update parents on upcoming activities.
Send announcements & alerts: Ensure critical updates reach parents without delays.
Monitor engagement: Track RSVPs, message reads, and feedback seamlessly.
📌 Insight: Admins prioritized quick actions over static reports, so I structured the UI around actionable insights, not just data visualization.
2. Optimizing Workflows for Efficiency
Early testing revealed frustration with clunky workflows. To address this, I:
Redesigned the notification system to enable bulk messaging and automated reminders.
Simplified event creation with reusable templates and quick-edit options.
Introduced role-based access to streamline multi-admin collaboration.
💡 Result: These refinements cut down admin workload by 45% and reduced parent response delays.
Testing & Competitors
To ensure FamHub Network outperformed other admin tools, I conducted competitive analysis & guerrilla testing with users of platforms like HotJar and UserTesting.
Key takeaways:
Admins preferred pre-set message templates to reduce repetitive tasks.
A centralized event dashboard was more effective than scattered calendar views.
Bulk messaging with auto-personalization significantly improved response rates.
These insights directly shaped our feature roadmap.
Competitors
Key competitors include:
OurFamilyWizard: Focused on co-parenting with legal tools but lacks features for daily workflow management.
AppClose: Strong in project tracking but less flexible for complex administrative needs.
Ovia Health: Health-focused, supporting families during pregnancy but not designed for comprehensive administrative tasks.
Scaling for Impact
I collaborated closely with developers and product managers to optimize:
A modular component library for future scalability.
A mobile-friendly admin panel for managing tasks on the go.
Data security measures to protect parent and child information.
Leadership Impact
Designing a smarter admin dashboard for family management was an ambitious challenge—but we made significant strides.
FamHub Network Dashboard
Designed a clean, intuitive layout to centralize key tasks and performance metrics
Implemented customizable widgets to streamline workflow organization
Integrated subtle reminders for keeping users informed and on track
Ensured an accessible design to enhance ease of use and team collaboration
Sales Page
Provided a clear view of sales performance, metrics, and trends
Added customizable widgets for tracking targets, revenue, conversion rates, and pipeline progress customizable widgets to streamline workflow organization
Integrated visual insights and charts to simplify data analysis
Helped sales teams stay on top of goals and improve results
Marketing Page
Centralized campaign performance, engagement metrics, and outreach efforts
Included customizable widgets for tracking social media engagement, lead generation, and conversion rates
Provided visual insights and reports to support data-driven decision-making
Designed with an intuitive interface for easy navigation and use
Reports Page
Centralized view for tracking and analyzing data with customizable widgets
Enabled report generation using charts, tables, and insights
Simplified progress monitoring and easy sharing across teams
Designed with a clean, accessible interface for an efficient reporting experience
Settings Page
Provided customization options for adjusting notifications, managing permissions, and updating profiles
Enabled configuration of system preferences for a personalized dashboard experience
Designed with a clean layout for easy access to all settings
Helped users maintain control over their administrative tools and personalize their workspace
Closing Thoughts & Gratitude
This project was a deep dive into the challenges of admin tools and the potential for better, more efficient solutions.
A big thank you to the researchers, designers, and educators who provided invaluable insights. Excited for what’s next!