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I have an application that lists all the modules loaded in a performance test in a baseline and a current testrun. Each run in turn has many iterations. A user can view the difference of what was loaded in the baseline versus current across all iterations by selecting All in the dropdown list. Current UI

However, I want to add the ability to go to another tool for the following combination of parameters (module, runtype(baseline or current) and iteration (0,1,2,..)) etc. For example: I will open up a call stack for Module0.dll in baseline testrun for iteration 1.

However, iterations don't show up in this UI as the values in baseline and current columns are aggregates across all iterations.

My idea was to make the cell values in baseline and current as hyperlinks where a user can right-click -> see a menu of iterations and click on a particular iteration to go to the new tool. I am not sure that it is the best user experience/UI though.

Any suggestion on improving this workflow will be highly appreciated.

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  • What is the goal of the observing separate iterations? It's a long and boring task. Aggregation allows to cope with a huge amount of data, while observation of each iteration leads to increasing workload. Probably, you need some tool for finding iterations which have bad performance?
    – Alexey Kolchenko
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 21:35
  • I show aggregates above and that is sufficient for the first level of analysis into a regression. However, to go one level further, you want to see call stacks. Call stacks are different for different iterations. I want the user to be able to compare one call stack to the other. And I want them to get to the callStackViewer tool from the UI shown above.
    – Mark
    Commented Dec 19, 2013 at 21:46

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This interface is clearly not for your average user. Though I can quickly rattle off a solution that would be best for everyone, what you really need is a solution that is best for your users. This is the difference between Human-Centered design and User-Centered design.

I won't provide you with a wireframe or mockup, because I'd have to make a lot of assumptions about your users to do that. I don't know them, but you do! Because of this I don't think anyone here can provide you with the right answer, unless it's on accident.

Instead, here are some things to ponder that can help you along the way:

  • What kind of software do your users interface with commonly?
  • How do your users visualize this problem?
  • Why do your users need this feature?
  • Where in their workflow does this exists?
  • How would you present this information on a printed page or some other non-digital format?
  • What is the most-efficient/simple solution you can think of visually and how does it different from the most-efficient/simple solution pragmatically?
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