Education‑to‑Workforce
Indicator Framework
A digital guide that connects education data to workforce outcomes
Overview
A comprehensive framework that was initially developed as 313 page research report PDF. Across MVP phase, to updates and the final release, we turned it into a dynamic site that helps policymakers and practitioners use indicators, disaggregates, and equity principles without getting lost. I led discovery, IA, wireframes, prototypes, and usability tests through to launch.
Client
Role & Duration
2022-2025
Context & Problem
A dense research framework developed for Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help systems collect and use data that advance educational and economic opportunity for all. However, the sharing and using of the framework remained rigid and impossible to track.
The challenge was to convert the static framework version to digital while maintaining the research rigor and ensuring that its usable for non‑technical audiences. We needed clearer entry points, better navigation, and a structure that explained purpose before asking people to explore.
Role & Process
I ran discovery workshops with authors and stakeholders, then built the sitemap and information architecture. We iterated low‑ to high‑fidelity prototypes in Adobe XD and ran two formal usability rounds plus live feedback from webinars and conference demos. Annotated specs and a style guide kept the Drupal build on track.
Ideation
With the framework’s size and complexity, I first focused on clarifying its five core components and showing how they connected. Early grayscale wireframes emphasized content hierarchy and navigation before any styling, giving stakeholders a clear view of how vertical and horizontal movement across components could work.
I then created interactive prototypes in Adobe XD, co-developed with subject-matter experts to ensure accuracy. Initial MVP wireframes focused on clear page templates like the homepage, Indicators & Metrics, and detail views, so the Drupal development team had a reliable blueprint. Over time, sketches grew into full mockups aligned with Mathematica’s visual style, incorporating responsive layouts, accessible components, and strong mobile parity.
Mid-fidelity mockups
This ideation phase balanced simplification with rigor: breaking apart the dense PDF into digestible modules, while retaining the interconnections that gave the framework its power.
High-fidelity mockups
Usability Testing Insights
Test Results
24
Tests
93%
Success Rate
86sec
Time on Task
4.29
Avg. SUS
At first, people expected datasets rather than guidance, so we lifted explanatory copy and added a Get Started path. Users needed obvious starting points; once labels were clear, the horizontal menus and sidebar kept them oriented and confident.
“I like a central set of definitions… and the differentiation between student outcomes and system conditions.”
– Policy & advocacy analyst
“I like the idea of the filter section, I like that a lot. Keep this function, would want it to work better, but I like this a lot.”
– State higher-education data analyst
Design Updates
We moved orientation higher on the homepage and added a Get Started banner. Indicators & Metrics evolved from PDFs into a filterable interface with tiles, related links, and an export feature. Updates refined iconography and mobile parity; the final release added multicolumn navigation and a card‑based Get Started gateway with concise microcopy.
Outcomes
The site drew strong early engagement, with most traffic focused on framework components. Adoption by 26+ organizations and a Silver Anthem Award validated clarity and usefulness. Feedback praised the simplicity of navigation and the usefulness of filterable indicators.
Project Learnings
Deep content immersion let us simplify without losing accuracy. “Explain, then explore” proved key. Close developer collaboration preserved intent through delivery. Next: create personalized pathways for different audiences and add analytics to track how people move from orientation to exploration.
Let’s Connect
Feel free to reach out for collaborations or just a friendly hello