Redesigning the navigation in Octopus

Octopus Deploy faced significant challenges with the findability of its features, as highlighted by user feedback indicating difficulties in navigation. To address this, the team re-evaluated their navigation strategy by conducting a series of activities, including card sorting with existing customers, mapping out mental models, and analyzing behavioral data. These efforts led to insights about how users group information and interact with features, particularly emphasizing the importance of system scopes, personas, and the visibility of frequently used features like variable sets. Ideation workshops, incorporating competitor research, helped refine navigation concepts, with vertical navigation testing slightly better than horizontal. The new navigation design, which prioritizes search and filters, aims to improve user experience by making features more accessible and reducing confusion. Ongoing feedback and refinement are encouraged to ensure the navigation supports efficient and satisfying user interactions.