Tell me more ×
User Experience Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for user experience researchers and experts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 1 down vote favorite

I need to build a web app to help a support staff manage a boat-load of incidents in real-time. Some events will be weighted heavier than others. And events need to be hidden once they've been addressed. Right now I'm thinking of just a weighted queue, but would love to see what others may have come up with.

Any good UIs or UI constructs out there that help people deal with real-time events?

share|improve this question
1  
Hi Ian, could you try rephrasing your question to ask a more specific question? Asking for examples of UIs is one thing but I think you'd be better helped if we could assist you with your sppecific problem. Try adding more detail about the app you're trying to design. – Rahul♦ Jan 8 '12 at 0:49
Done. Was this helpful? – Ian Lotinsky Jan 10 '12 at 17:04
What is the nature of the reports and the responses? Is an incident something like "911 call" (incomplete info, respond immediately) or more like "update virus packages" (do on 1000 computers sometime today)? Is this a planning app or a reactive app? – Monica Cellio Jan 10 '12 at 19:31
incomplete and reactive (real-time) – Ian Lotinsky Jan 10 '12 at 21:15
Do users choose incidents to open/address or does everybody just take the next one when ready? Do incidents get updated once submitted (since reports are incomplete) and, if so, do users need to know that? – Monica Cellio Jan 11 '12 at 15:53

closed as not constructive by Ben Brocka♦ Aug 18 '12 at 16:36

As it currently stands, this question is not a good fit for our Q&A format. We expect answers to be supported by facts, references, or specific expertise, but this question will likely solicit debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. If you feel that this question can be improved and possibly reopened, see the FAQ for guidance.

3 Answers

up vote 1 down vote accepted

When I had to do something similar ( 13 years ago ) we went down the route of a weighted list. I think this would still work, in some form, because most people who use Google are used to a weighted list - the most important/relevant entries are at the top.

However, also consider issues around how the system will be used - what do users need to do to entries on the list? The real issues for large, volatile, real-time lists are making sure that everyone has a correct list at all times. Alongside this, you need to ensure that any individual sees the information relevant to them - which may mean different people have different lists.

Good luck! Real-time operations are very tricky.

share|improve this answer
up vote 2 down vote

Ian, sorry my answer is not going to be very helpful but I was up against same problem when researching event management systems for the legal industry. Event management efficiency is is this industry's most vital component. Events here are any kind of court hearing, motion, deposition, basically anything related to a court Case. Because these products are on subscription model it's hard to find screenshots, but a few subscriptions for demos might get you moving in the right direction. Prolaw comes to mind, as well as ClinicYou from event management for clinicians angle.

Also, large hotel chains have similar interfaces for their events/catering side of business. Wish I could give you the actual screenshots, sorry, you'll have to do some digging.

share|improve this answer
+1 for pointing in the right directions. – Kris Jan 11 '12 at 9:12
up vote 1 down vote

If you are researching for a web-app, I strongly recommend you to check the various realtime Stats/Analytics platform.

Google recently introduced real-time stats in Analytics and there are many apps like: chartbeat clicky woopra

there are many more, just search for "real time analytics"

share|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.