Background

Grayshift conducted a usability study to evaluate the Beta software experience among criminal investigators, intelligence analysts, detectives, and digital forensic examiners. The goal was to understand user workflows and identify areas for improvement in navigating case data, utilizing the timeline feature, and extracting critical investigative information.

OneSpring delivered insightful user research via one-on-one moderated interviews, where participants provided insights into how they interacted with the software during real-world investigative tasks.

Usability Insights: Streamlining Your UX is Key

Our research uncovered several usability challenges that impact efficiency and ease of use. Understanding these pain points is crucial for delivering a seamless and intuitive user experience.

Key Findings & Areas for Improvement

Intuitive Interface, Untapped Potential
While most participants found the core interface intuitive, challenges arose when trying to tag and bookmark key information for quick reference. How can we make information instantly accessible?

Timeline Feature: Underutilized and Ready for Enhancement
The timeline feature, while appreciated, saw limited adoption. Users expressed a desire for more direct input methods for time ranges. Let's empower users with efficient time management tools.

Lost in Translation: Consistent Labeling and Terminology Matters
Inconsistent labeling and unfamiliar terminology caused confusion, especially within the "Clues in Range" section. Clarity is paramount. We need to speak the user's language.

Messaging Platform Confusion: A Unified Communication Hub
Users struggled to differentiate between various messaging platforms, hindering efficient conversation tracking. A unified view simplifies communication.

The Need for Bulk Export: Save Time, Boost Productivity
The absence of a bulk export function forced users to manually retrieve information, increasing workload and slowing down investigations. Efficiency is key. Let's streamline data extraction.

Solution

Partnered with OneSpring, Grayshift implemented several design enhancements to improve the software’s user experience including:

Organization Features

• Tagging and bookmarking feature was introduced to allow users to easily revisit important data.

Interface Improvements

• Timeline interface was refined to include direct input fields for time and date selection, reducing unnecessary scrolling and zooming.

Visual and Terminology Refinements

• Terminology adjustments were made to align with user expectations, replacing vague labels with more descriptive language.

• Icons were redesigned to ensure clear differentiation between messaging platforms, improving visibility and searchability.

Export Capabilities

• A bulk export function was added, enabling users to compile relevant case data into a formal report quickly.

These changes aimed to streamline workflows and provide investigators with a more efficient and user-friendly experience.

"The software Beta has significantly improved how we conduct digital investigations.

– Lead Digital Forensic Examiner

Results

The usability improvements resulted in significant enhancements in user efficiency and satisfaction outlined below:

Enhanced Information Management
Participants reported that tagging and bookmarking features reduced the time spent searching for critical information.

Increased User Engagement
The refined timeline interface led to increased engagement, with more users utilizing the feature to track investigative progress.

Improved Clarity and Comprehension
Adjustments in terminology and iconography minimized confusion, improving the ability to analyze and interpret messages.

Streamlined Workflow Efficiency
The introduction of the bulk export function allowed investigators to compile reports faster, reducing the time required to prepare case summaries.

Overall User Experience
User feedback indicated a more intuitive and seamless experience, reinforcing the effectiveness of these design improvements.