Simple best practices for improving user interaction
I have been involved in numerous Polarion deployment projects and one of the key goals during the implementation phase is to provide simple yet comprehensive interaction mechanisms for end users. Typically, a company-specific project template is developed to reflect the needs of various user roles. However I have often observed that these activities are primarily focused on defining document types, work item types, link roles, and form layouts. While these elements are essential, there are several additional (often overlooked) practices that can significantly enhance user-friendliness. Below are a few simple yet effective concepts that can improve the overall user interaction experience in Polarion.
Role based reports
Reports can be created quickly using Polarion’s powerful widget library, and it’s almost always worthwhile to invest effort into designing report pages that act as entry points for daily tasks. For example, requirement authors frequently switch between multiple documents to analyze and modify their content. A tailored dashboard that summarizes relevant data from a specific document can simplify their workflow. Such a report could provide:
- An overview of document status and other attributes
- Navigation to individual sections or items
- Drill-down capability into specific topics
This not only saves time but also increases user satisfaction by streamlining access to relevant content.
Use widgets for more than just presentation
When thinking about widgets we typically associate them with presenting existing data – such as lists, charts, or tables. However, some widgets are specifically designed for interactive use, often integrating with the sidebar to allow real-time data manipulation.
In practice this interactive capability is frequently underutilized. Consider a scenario in which a user must navigate and update linked work items across multiple hierarchical levels. This situation is common when reusing existing document sets – like system requirements, software requirements, and test specifications – for a new development project.
The Multi-level Traceability widget is especially effective here (Polarion Extensions). It provides:
- A comprehensive view of connected work items
- Type-specific content visualization
- The ability to modify different work item types directly from the view
This enables users to manage complex dependencies much more efficiently.
Even basic widgets can be adapted to support interaction. A simple example is embedding clickable links within pie chart labels. Small enhancements like these can go a long way in increasing user acceptance and engagement, turning static visuals into actionable interfaces.
In-line editing
The standard tree view in Polarion has seen notable improvements in recent releases, including the ability to modify content directly within the table (Polarion ALM 2304 – What’s New and Noteworthy | Polarion). In recent months I’ve observed that these powerful in-line editing capabilities are still underutilized. By providing users with a set of predefined queries and column configurations, it is now possible to deliver comprehensive and flexible user interfaces tailored to different roles. In many cases, users can significantly improve efficiency by making changes directly within the table view.
Conclusion
While foundational configuration is important in any Polarion deployment, focusing on user interaction can provide a measurable boost in efficiency and user satisfaction. By thoughtfully leveraging widgets, in-line editing, and role-specific dashboards, you can transform Polarion into a more powerful and intuitive work environment.
