Challenge Summary
Welcome to the GE "Data Classification" Responsive Design Concepts Challenge. We are excited to see what concepts and ideas you have for our “Data Classification” responsive application. The goal of this concepts challenge is to focus on designing a “mobile first” application that helps employees understand, learn and use our Data Classification principles to classify, label and handle documents and data appropriately.
Round 1
Round 1 - Initial Design Concepts for checkpoint review
01: Homepage (Mobile and Desktop Views)
02: Labeling (Mobile)
03: Handling (Mobile)
04: Classification (Mobile)
05: User feedback and user question submission (Mobile)
Make sure to numbers your screens (01, 02, 03, 04 etc)
Round 2
Round 2 - Final Design Concepts plus any checkpoint feedback and updates
01: Homepage (Mobile and Desktop Views)
02: Labeling (Mobile and Desktop Views)
03: Handling (Mobile and Desktop Views)
04: Classification (Mobile and Desktop Views)
05: User feedback and user question submission (Mobile and Desktop Views)
06: Details regarding additional resources and information (Mobile and Desktop Views)
07: User stored information (Mobile and Desktop Views)
08: Additional Screens?
Make sure to numbers your screens (01, 02, 03, 04 etc)
Challenge Description
GE is a research and technology company that builds appliances, lighting, power systems, and other products that help homes, offices, factories, and retail facilities around the world work better.
For this challenge, GE is looking for your help in designing concepts and ideas for a responsive web application that helps users understand, learn and use their Data Classification principles to classify, label and handle documents and data appropriately.
Note: This is a Design Concepts Challenge so we are not looking to design the entire application in this challenge. Instead, focus on the initial usage/exploration of the user experience and making sure it’s easy to use from a “Mobile First” viewpoint.
What is Data Classification?
Data classification is a way of understanding the value of our information, and treating it appropriately based on it’s value. This information could be related to the design of a product, the way products are manufactured, materials used for products, offers or bids to customers, services provided to customers, etc.
There are four (4) primary levels of classification:
1) Public = Least sensitive information
2) Internal
3) Confidential
4) Restricted = Most sensitive information
- Public refers to the least sensitive information and Restricted refers to the most sensitive information.
- Most documents will be Confidential or Internal, and very few documents will be Public or Restricted.
- It is very difficult for someone to make a determination between Confidential and Restricted
- Labeling all documents correctly ensures that information is handled appropriately.
Data Classification Examples
1) One example would be a Word document created by an employee that contains sales information. Let’s assume the sales information in this document is sensitive and and should only be shared to a select number of employees. This document should be considered Confidential. The employee who created this document knows that, but if they label the document as Confidential, they can ensure that other employees authorized to view the document will also know how to handle and distribute/not distribute the document.
2) Another example would be a PowerPoint slide created by an employee that contains the business org chart. The employee knows that this document can be freely shared within the company and therefore classifies the slide as Internal. By labeling the slide as Internal, other employees will be free to distribute the slide within the company.
3) In either example, misclassifying and mislabeling the documents may lead to the mishandling of company data. However, in the first example, if the Word document was improperly classified and labelled as Internal or had no label at all, sensitive information may be improperly handled and distributed, leading to potential losses for the company. The determination of the proper classification level as well as the proper labelling and subsequent handling of documents and data are all very important.
Design Concepts Problem
- GE is a company with several business units in different industries including Aviation, Healthcare, Energy, Capital, Transportation.
- GE is a company with multiple functions which handle different types of documents and data including HR, engineering, IT, legal, sales/marketing, security, finance, etc.
- GE is a global company operating in multiple countries and has over 300,000 employees around the world
Each of these business groups needs to follow the Data Classification Policy that governs how employees should classify data, documents and electronic files (any material that contains data). Historically, getting employees to understand and follow the Data Classification Policy has been very difficult. It was a difficult process to understand and label your data or documents.
We are looking to design a simple easy-to-use responsive application that helps a user learn and apply this policy to their data.
Challenge Goals
This challenge is focused on designing a “mobile first” application where employees can educate themselves about Data Classification as well as help guide them on how to classify, label and handle their documents and data appropriately.
- The new tool should be easy-to-use, easy to access (including offline capabilities), and minimizes disruptions to their current work flow.
- The application will be a digital (mobile, desktop) version of the content that is shown on the attached Data Classification Cards, but is intended to include additional features and enhancements beyond the limitations of a physical form.
- Imagine taking the provided printed experience and creating an interactive (engaging!) application.
Concept Thoughts
- Design in a way that would make it easy to understand if you weren’t familiar with the policy or concepts of Data Classification.
- Users may have very little experience with data classification and need a lot of guidance, or may have a lot of experience and simply need specific information
- Easy to use - We will have novice users who are used to using a walkthrough/wizard and potential “experts” who are better versed in Data Classification concepts
- The user will need to utilize the application offline (such as preparing your document offline and sync when connected)
- The application will be "Responsive" web-application - focus is on Mobile and Desktop views in this challenge
- Mobile screens should be 320px width, desktop screens should be 1024px width
- Think of a "mobile first" design - it should be a great mobile experience and easy to use no matter what size device
- Clean and modern design
Key Users:
Novice:
- We will have “Novice” users who will expect instruction and possibly a wizard/walkthrough type experience. What type of UX elements will help this type of user?
Expert:
- We will have “Expert” users who just need to quickly get in and search and find the information they are looking for. How do you streamline the interface for the Expert user?
Suggested Screens and Concepts
Important: When planning your concepts think of the user experience for the Novice user and then how the Expert user might be able to search, skip items to get to the content they need.
01: Homepage
- This will be the start of the application and will help guide a user from the beginning on how to classify data
- Both Novice and Experts need to use this. Think about the navigation and priorities for the home. What are key items a Novice user will need to use and what features will an Expert use.
- Think of it as one main way to start the process (expert) but a clear and noticeable way for someone who is a novice to begin a more guided (wizard) process.
- This also will include a description of the kinds of physical documents and digital information that need to be classified and that fall within the Data Classification Policy.
02: Labeling
- This is where a user will choose what kind of document it is (PDF/Drawing/Word doc/Email/Other) and learn how to label the document
- This is where a user will find information about supplemental labels that may be used in addition to the primary labels
- They can see examples if needed
- User needs a way to go to the next screen (Handling), go back or navigate to a different page
- Plan for both Novice and Expert Users
03: Handling
- More information about the how the document should be treated is given here
- Are you sharing/storing/destroying the document? Is the document in electronic or physical form? If so, here is what you need to do.
- They can see examples if needed
- User needs a way to go to the next screen (Classification), go back or navigate to a different page
- Plan for both Novice and Expert Users
04: Classification
- Determining the classification level for a document or a piece of data using either a simple or detailed approach at the user’s choice
- They can see examples if needed
- User needs a way to go to the next screen (feedback), go back or navigate to a different page
- Plan for both Novice and Expert Users
05: User feedback and user submitted questions
- Allowing the user to provide feedback regarding the application and questions regarding the application, data classification, etc.
- User needs a way to go to the next screen (resources), go back or navigate to a different page
06: Details regarding additional resources and information
- Allowing the user to find, use, and/or link to additional information and resources regarding data classification (e.g., data classification policy)
- User needs a way to go to the next screen (user stored information,), go back or navigate to a different page
07: User stored information
- Allowing the user to store data classification information for documents and data specific to the user, the user’s work product, or the user’s business
- User needs a way to go to the next screen (finish), go back or navigate to a different page
08: Additional Screens and Concepts
- Think about the User Experience - make sure to capture the steps and flow to help us understand your concept.
- As a person not familiar with Data Classification concepts, what additional screens or information would help
Supporting Documents
- Data Classification Cards - This was created to demonstrate what it would look like if a user physically printed out the cards to see and understand the flow. How can we take this "print" style approach and turn it in a mobile rich experience?
- Data Classification Talking Points
Branding Reference
- Refer to http://www.ge.com/
- See attachments for supporting colors
- We will provide additional branding thoughts at the Checkpoint
Target Audience
- GE employees who are creating/viewing/using documents and data
Judging Criteria
- How well did you execute and design your concept?
- Did you communicate the fundamentals of data classification well through your designs?
- Does your design help people with little experience and people with a lot of experience with data classification find the answers to their questions quickly and easily?
- Does your design appeal to employees around the world?
- Cleanliness and functionality of your graphics and design
- Ease of use - Is it easy to use on a mobile device (size of buttons/links/spacing) and navigate to other sections/screens
Submission & Source Files
Preview Image
Create your preview image as one (1) 1024 x 1024 JPG or PNG file in RGB color mode at 72dpi and place a screenshot of your submission in it.
Submission File
Please upload PNG images in a ZIP file with all requested contest requirements states above. Number your files (01, 02, 03, etc) in order. This will help when reviewing with the client.
Source Files
All original source files of the submitted design. Files should be created in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator and saved as layered PSD/AI files.
Final Fixes
As part of the final fixes phase you may be asked to modify your graphics (sizes or colors_ or modify overall colors. We may ask you to update your design or graphics based on checkpoint feedback.
Please read the challenge specification carefully and watch the forums for any questions or feedback concerning this challenge. It is important that you monitor any updates provided by the client or Studio Admins in the forums. Please post any questions you might have for the client in the forums.