Lab Workflow Builder
Project Type
B2B, SaaS Concept
Role
UX/UI Designer
Scope
IA, Interaction, UI
Laboratory workflows are anything but simple,
but the interface that manages them should be. This SaaS design challenge explores how laboratory managers can build, organise, and monitor complex workflows.
01/
Laboratory workflows aren't ordinary task lists.
/ Three Design Goals
Visibility
Help managers distinguish between workflows in configuration and those being executed, with key status information available at a glance.
Configuration
Make it straightforward to add, arrange, and edit workflow steps while accommodating conditions, dependencies, and approvals.
Clarity
Keep essential workflow information accessible without overwhelming the interface with unnecessary detail.
I mapped the key activities involved in creating, organising, and monitoring workflows to understand how they connect and inform the interface structure.
/ The Constraints
1
Week.
1
0
02/
Flexibility without the clutter.
Rather than limiting functionality, I focused on controlling how it was presented. A layered interface separates workflow management, configuration, and monitoring, while progressive disclosure keeps secondary tools and information out of the way until needed.
/ The Design Response
1. System Architecture
Dashboard
Find and manage workflows
Builder
Create and configure steps and logic
Monitor
Track execution and status
2. Interaction Design
Secondary controls were collapsed, grouped, or revealed contextually, leaving more space for the workflow itself. Drag-and-drop interactions and configurable views preserved flexibility without requiring every option to remain visible.
/ Workflow step configuration
3. Iterations
/ Dashboard
I reduced the prominence of secondary controls and refined the table structure to make workflow status and progress easier to scan.
/ Builder
I explored different placements for workflow properties and editing controls, moving towards a layout that gives the step sequence more space while keeping configuration accessible.
03/
What I Made
Dashboard
Status tabs, configurable columns, and progress indicators bring key information into one scannable overview.
Builder
Modular tools, reorderable steps, and collapsible sections support detailed workflow construction.
Monitor
Step-level statuses, task completion, and contextual details help managers follow execution and identify items requiring attention.
