Benchmark Platform: Initial Contributor Mapping Flow
Welcome to the exciting initial release of the contributor-side click-flow for the Benchmark Platform! We're thrilled to introduce the foundational steps that will guide contributors through the mapping process. Our primary objective with this first version is to establish a minimal, yet complete, end-to-end sequence of pages. This journey will take users from their very first visit all the way to reviewing their session summary and, finally, landing on their personal dashboard. Think of it as the skeleton of the experience – it has all the essential parts in the right places, ready for us to flesh out with rich content later on.
This initial rollout focuses on scaffolding the core contributor mapping workflow. We're not diving deep into complex content creation or intricate logic just yet. Instead, we're meticulously defining and implementing the fundamental page sequence that contributors will interact with. This includes the initial entry point – the Landing/Intro page, designed to welcome users and set expectations. Following that, we have the Onboarding and Tutorial section, which will gently guide new users through the platform's concepts and functionalities. The heart of the process lies in the Mapping Session, where contributors will engage with tasks. This session will be structured to allow users to start, perform tasks, and receive an inline summary, all conveniently on the same page. Finally, the journey culminates with the Dashboard, offering a personalized overview of their contributions and progress.
Defining the Contributor Mapping Flow Skeleton
Let's dive a bit deeper into the contributor mapping flow skeleton. This is where we lay the groundwork for a smooth and intuitive user experience. The sequence is carefully designed to be sequential and logical, ensuring that users understand where they are in the process and what comes next. The Landing/Intro page serves as the initial handshake, providing a clear overview of what the Benchmark Platform is all about and the value contributors will bring. It’s the virtual doorstep, inviting users to explore further. Once they've decided to proceed, they'll be guided to the Onboarding and Tutorial section. This part is crucial for setting up users for success. It’s not just about showing them buttons; it’s about imparting understanding. We’ll cover key concepts like competencies, explaining what they represent within the platform's framework. We'll introduce the idea of learning resources, clarifying their role in the mapping process. Most importantly, we’ll demystify mappings and sessions, ensuring users grasp the core mechanics of their task. The tutorial aims to be concise yet comprehensive, equipping contributors with the necessary knowledge without overwhelming them.
Following the onboarding, users will enter the Mapping Session. This is the core interactive part of their journey. Here, they’ll be presented with specific tasks that require their expertise. The design emphasizes an inline summary on the same page, meaning users can see the results or status of their actions without navigating away. This keeps the momentum going and provides immediate feedback. Actions like 'Add Relation', 'Skip', or 'Undo' will be present as placeholders, demonstrating the intended interactivity. We're building the structure for these crucial feedback loops. Finally, after completing a session, contributors will be directed to their Dashboard. This personalized space will offer an overview of their completed sessions, progress, and potentially other relevant metrics. It’s their command center, giving them a sense of accomplishment and a clear view of their involvement.
Navigating Through the Benchmark Platform: Routing and Navigation
To ensure a seamless experience within the Benchmark Platform, robust routing and navigation are paramount. We've meticulously set up all the necessary routes within the Next.js App Router. This means that users can effortlessly traverse the entire contributor flow using simple clicks and intuitive navigation. The defined path is straightforward: a user will begin at the root, indicated by /, which leads them to the /onboarding page. From there, they proceed to the /session page, and ultimately, their journey concludes at the /dashboard. This structured navigation prevents confusion and allows users to focus on their tasks rather than on figuring out where to go next. We are leveraging the power of next/link to ensure that these transitions are not only smooth but also optimized for performance, providing a client-side navigation experience that feels instantaneous.
The user journey is designed to be a clear, linear progression. Each step builds upon the last, ensuring that contributors have the context they need as they move through the platform. For instance, the links and buttons are strategically placed to guide users logically from one stage to the next. If a user is on the onboarding page, they’ll find a clear call to action to begin their first session. Once in a session, the interface will prompt them to move towards completing it, which then naturally leads them to the dashboard. This predictability is key to building user confidence and encouraging engagement. We've focused on making these transitions as intuitive and friction-free as possible. By establishing this solid navigational framework, we're creating a reliable pathway for contributors to engage with the platform and understand their role in the mapping process. This foundational navigation is a critical step towards building a fully functional and user-friendly Benchmark Platform.
Domain-Aligned Copy: Speaking the Language of Contribution
To foster a sense of familiarity and professionalism, we are committed to using domain-aligned copy throughout the Benchmark Platform. This means that the language we use is consistent with the core concepts of the thesis – competencies, learning resources, mappings, sessions, and tasks. By adhering to this terminology, we ensure that contributors can easily understand the context of their actions and the overall purpose of the platform. This isn't just about using fancy words; it's about creating a shared understanding and a cohesive experience.
For example, when we refer to competencies, we mean the specific skills or knowledge areas that users are expected to map or assess. Learning resources are the materials or information that users might refer to or use in their mapping activities. Mappings themselves represent the connections or relationships that contributors establish between different elements within the platform. A session is a distinct period of work where a contributor engages in a series of tasks. And a task is a specific unit of work within a session that requires a contributor's input. This consistent lexicon is vital for clarity. It reduces ambiguity and helps contributors feel more confident in their contributions. By speaking the same language, we bridge the gap between the platform's functionality and the user's understanding, making the entire experience more accessible and effective. This attention to detail in our language choice is a testament to our commitment to providing a high-quality, user-centric platform.
Deliverables: Building the Foundation
Our initial work on the contributor mapping click-flow focuses on delivering a set of concrete components that form the bedrock of the user experience. The primary deliverable is the creation of new routes and page components within the app/ directory of our Next.js application. These components will house the entirety of the contributor mapping flow, from the entry point to the final dashboard. Each page is designed to fulfill a specific role in the user's journey, providing a structured progression through the mapping process. We're building out the skeletal structure that will later be populated with detailed content and sophisticated logic.
Crucially, we are ensuring working navigation between all steps using next/link. This means that users can seamlessly transition from one page to the next with intuitive clicks and actions. The flow is designed to be / → /onboarding → /session → /dashboard, creating a clear and predictable path. To make this navigable, each page will feature minimal placeholder UI. This isn't about aesthetics at this stage; it's about functional representation. For instance, the mapping task page will include placeholder elements for crucial actions like 'Add Relation', 'Skip', and 'Undo'. These visible elements, even as mocks, demonstrate the intended interactivity and workflow. The goal here is to have a fully navigable skeleton, allowing us to test the flow, gather early feedback on the structure, and ensure that the underlying navigation and routing are sound before we invest heavily in detailed UI design and complex feature implementation. This phased approach ensures efficiency and allows us to iterate effectively as we develop the Benchmark Platform.
Notes on the Current Implementation
It's important to emphasize that this current implementation is a foundational scaffold. It is not intended to be the final UI or the definitive logic for the Benchmark Platform's contributor mapping flow. Think of it as a blueprint or an architectural framework. We've focused on establishing the core structure, the navigation pathways, and the basic representation of each stage in the contributor's journey. The placeholder UIs are deliberately minimal, serving to illustrate the intended functionality rather than to provide a polished user experience. Similarly, the logic associated with each step is rudimentary, designed to enable the flow to work end-to-end. This approach allows us to build and test the fundamental architecture without getting bogged down in the complexities of final design and intricate business logic at this early stage. As we move forward, we will iterate on this foundation, refining the UI, implementing detailed logic, and enriching the content to create a robust and user-friendly platform. This initial phase is crucial for validating the overall structure and ensuring that we are on the right track before proceeding with more detailed development. We encourage early feedback on the flow and navigation to help shape the future iterations of the Benchmark Platform.
For more insights into building effective contribution platforms and understanding user workflows, you can explore resources on **
UX Collective and** **
