From Scratch to Success: Crafting a Data Dashboard

Context & User Pain Point

Minitable, a B2B software as a service (SaaS) startup, specializes in offering a waitlist & reservation system to restaurants in the US Asian market. During its early days in 2020, the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) did not include a robust and comprehensive data reporting feature. 

This omission became a frequent request from existing clients, and potential clients emphasized its importance as a crucial factor for adopting the software. To expand its reach to higher-tier restaurant segments, the team recognized the necessity of incorporating a reliable data reporting feature.

Challenges

  • Competing priorities & limited development resource

Junling’s Strategies

To meet the growing demand for data reports from clients, we initially implemented a cost-effective solution by introducing manual monthly data reports as a MVP. After the success of the data reports was confirmed and the number of requests increased, the team prioritized the development of an auto data dashboard feature. 

  • Phase One: Manual Monthly Data Report: 

The product team created a template for a monthly data report. Each month the development team provided the data, the customer support team generated and distributed the report exclusively to VIP clients. 

  • Phase Two: Auto Real-time Data Dashboard

During this period, the team focused on developing a real-time data dashboard accessible through an app, empowering clients to track their restaurant’s performance for any time desired time period.  

Junling’s Tasks

  • Led the program as a product manager and ensured to deliver the product successfully

  • Independently conducted competitor research and user interviews to understand client need 

  • Wrote technical requirements, defining each metrics to be included in the data report & dashboard 

  • Designed a seamless user experience and interface for the dashboard

  • [Phase One]: Collaborated with a back-end software developer to define the manual data report template, optimizing the workflow for report generation and distribution. Providing  training to the customer report team to ensure efficient report generation  

  • [Phase Two]: Led a team of a back-end software developer and an iOS App developer to create the data dashboard feature 

  • Conducted testing and quality assurance (QA) with a part-time testing assistant, providing feedback for improvement

  • Hosted internal meetings and QA sessions to communicate the new feature with the sales and customer support teams

Results

  • Delivered the first version of Manual Report Data within a week. The template was widely adopted during the sales team’s pitch and helped establish partnerships with nearly 10 renowned brands, including Haidilao Hot Pot, Gen Korean BBQ, Spot Dessert…

  • Designed, managed and delivered the Auto Data Dashboard feature in 45 days. This achievement outpaced competitors and paved the way for partnerships with over 30 top-tier and renowned brands in the restaurant market within a year. 

  • Accomplish a reduction 100 hours per month in customer support related to data reporting