Redesigning the Dashboard UI for Construction Saas

At-A-Glance

Kiese Technologies offers a business development management software designed specifically for the construction industry. Their platform enables construction companies to manage the entire business development process—from lead generation to project award—in one centralized location. Key features include tracking client relationships, managing leads and bids, monitoring staff availability, and creating proposals.

The Problem

Poor Visual Hierarchy

The design lacks clear separation between primary and secondary elements.

The charts and widgets seem equally weighted, making it hard to prioritize key metrics.

Overwhelming Dashboard Layout

The interface is cluttered with multiple pie charts and data panels.

Users may struggle to focus on key insights due to the density of information.

Generic Styling & Branding

The UI feels somewhat generic, lacking strong brand identity.

The color palette is minimal but could be enhanced with better contrast and spacing.

Navigation Challenges

The left sidebar is extensive but not clearly categorized.

Some menu items (e.g., "Activities" under both "Opportunities" and "Projects") might cause confusion.

Lack of Engaging Data Representation

Pie charts dominate the view but are not always the best for comparing values.

Alternative visualizations (e.g., bar charts, line graphs) might offer better clarity.

✅ Streamline the Dashboard – Reduce chart clutter, highlight key KPIs at the top.
✅ Improve Loading UX – Implement placeholders or better no-data messages.
✅ Enhance Navigation – Group similar menu items, add icons for better scannability.
✅ Use Better Visuals – Incorporate more effective chart types and summary widgets.
✅ Improve Aesthetic Appeal – Enhance spacing, typography, and branding elements.

The problem

The process

User Research & Feedback Loop

  • Conducting user interviews with general contractors, specialty contractors, and business development professionals to understand pain points.

  • Use heatmaps and session recordings to identify where users struggle in the interface.

Information Architecture Audit

  • Ensure that users can easily find key features (lead tracking, bid management, proposals, etc.) with an intuitive navigation structure.

  • Reduce cognitive load by implementing progressive disclosure (only show relevant information at each step).

  • Optimize the dashboard layout for quick insights with well-organized widgets and data visualization.

Visual Design & Branding

  • Use a clean, modern UI with clear typography, consistent color schemes, and whitespace to improve readability.

  • Implement responsive design for seamless use across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

  • Ensure high contrast and accessibility for better usability across diverse user needs.

Interaction & Workflow Optimization

  • Reduce the number of clicks required to complete tasks by optimizing workflows.

  • Introduce smart autofill and templates to speed up proposal creation.

  • Provide bulk actions to help users manage multiple leads, bids, or tasks efficiently.

Data Visualization & Insights

  • Use interactive dashboards with real-time data to help business development teams track leads, bid status, and client relationships.

  • Implement AI-driven insights to suggest the best next actions for users.

Onboarding & Support

  • Create a guided onboarding flow with tooltips and step-by-step tutorials.

  • Offer in-app chat support or a chatbot for quick assistance.

  • Provide a knowledge base with how-to guides and video tutorials.