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Dashboard 2.0: UI/UX Specification - Master Index

Version: 2.0 Status: 📅 Scheduled for Dec 2025 - Jan 2026 Priority: P1 Timeline: 8 weeks Budget: $45,000

📋 Table of Contents​

This comprehensive UI/UX specification is organized into modular documents for easy navigation and implementation. Each document contains detailed design specifications, implementation prompts, and technical requirements.

📊 Visual Diagrams (Mermaid)​

7 interactive diagrams have been added to key sections for visual clarity:

System & Architecture Diagrams​

  1. System Architecture - Three-panel layout structure

    • Shows sidebar, top bar, and main content relationships
    • Color-coded components with dimensions
    • Visual hierarchy and navigation flow

  2. Data Flow Diagram - Frontend → Backend → Database

    • Frontend (Browser): UI + JS + Charts + Search
    • Backend (Python): Flask API + Parsers
    • Database (SQLite): 6 tables with 20,000+ rows
    • Markdown Files: TASKLIST.md + PROJECT-PLAN.md

Component Visualizations​

  1. Kanban Swimlane Structure - Multi-project board layout

    • Horizontal swimlanes (one per project)
    • 3 status columns (To Do, In Progress, Done)
    • Collapsible rows with task cards
    • Filter bar and board settings

  2. Timeline Chart (Gantt) - Project timeline visualization

    • Phase bars with completion percentages
    • Milestone markers (◆) for key deliverables
    • Color-coded status (green=complete, blue=active, gray=pending)
    • 8-week Dashboard 2.0 implementation roadmap

  3. Analytics Dashboard Layout - 2×2 grid chart layout

    • Panel 1: Completion Rate by Phase (horizontal bars)
    • Panel 2: Velocity Trend (line chart with points)
    • Panel 3: Burndown Chart (dual-line comparison)
    • Panel 4: Task Distribution by Priority (stacked bar)

Interaction Flows​

  1. Filter Modal Workflow - Advanced filtering interaction

    • 7 filter dimensions (Status, Projects, Phase, Priority, Assignee, Due Date, Links)
    • AND/OR logic toggle with real-time match count
    • Save custom views to localStorage
    • Complete user interaction flow (Open → Select → Apply → Update)

  2. User Workflow - Monday morning sprint review

    • Step-by-step user journey (PM persona)
    • Decision points and UI interactions
    • 5-7 minute workflow visualization
    • Success/failure paths

Diagram Format: Mermaid syntax - renders in GitHub, VS Code, and documentation tools Diagram Types: Gantt charts, flowcharts, system diagrams, interaction flows

Core Documentation (Completed)​

1. Executive Summary​

Purpose & Vision | 47 lines | 307 words

Overview of Dashboard 2.0, target users, success criteria, and design principles. Start here for high-level understanding.

Key Topics:

  • Project purpose and goals
  • Target user personas
  • Success criteria and metrics
  • Core design principles

2. Design Philosophy​

Research Foundation | 68 lines | 341 words

Research-based design philosophy with citations from industry leaders (Wrike, Jira, Monday.com, Atlassian, etc.).

Key Topics:

  • Multi-project management patterns
  • Portfolio dashboard best practices
  • Industry research findings
  • Design pattern justifications

3. Overall Architecture​

System Structure | 128 lines | 590 words

Complete system architecture including layout structure, color system, typography, and spacing grid.

Key Topics:

  • Three-panel layout (sidebar + top bar + main content)
  • Color system with WCAG 2.1 AA compliance
  • Typography hierarchy (7 font sizes)
  • 8px spacing grid system
  • Responsive breakpoints (1024px, 768px, 320px)

4. Navigation System​

User Navigation | 535 lines | 1,410 words

Detailed navigation system design with left sidebar hierarchical tree and top bar global controls.

Key Topics:

  • Left sidebar navigation (280px width)
  • Hierarchical project tree structure
  • Top bar global controls
  • Breadcrumb navigation
  • Keyboard navigation patterns

Includes: Complete HTML/CSS implementation prompts with ARIA labels and accessibility features.

5. Portfolio Overview​

Dashboard Landing Page | 182 lines | 1,018 words

4-quadrant portfolio overview dashboard with KPIs, timeline, priorities, and risk indicators.

Key Topics:

  • KPI summary cards (4 metrics)
  • Project timeline visualization
  • Priority distribution chart
  • Risk indicator dashboard
  • Responsive grid layout

Includes: Full implementation prompts with Chart.js/D3.js integration examples.

6. Multi-Project Kanban Board​

Task Management | 294 lines | 1,368 words

Swimlane-based Kanban board for managing tasks across 46 submodules with drag-and-drop functionality.

Key Topics:

  • Swimlane pattern (horizontal rows per project)
  • Task card design with 7 data fields
  • Drag-and-drop behavior (HTML5 Drag API)
  • Collapsible swimlanes
  • Lazy loading for performance

Includes: Complete HTML structure, CSS Grid layout (200+ lines), JavaScript drag-drop handlers, and accessibility features.

7. Timeline Chart (Gantt)​

Project Scheduling | 375 lines | 1,114 words

Gantt-style timeline visualization for phase planning and milestone tracking across all projects.

Key Topics:

  • Phase visualization with color coding
  • Milestone markers and dependencies
  • Timeline zoom controls (week/month/quarter)
  • Today indicator line
  • Interactive task selection

Includes: SVG-based timeline rendering, zoom functionality, and responsive design patterns.

8. Analytics Dashboard​

Progress Metrics | 220 lines | 1,119 words

4-chart analytics dashboard for tracking completion rates, velocity, burndown, and priority distribution.

Key Topics:

  • Completion rate gauge chart
  • Velocity line chart (tasks/week)
  • Burndown chart (actual vs. ideal)
  • Priority distribution pie chart
  • Real-time data updates

Includes: Chart.js implementation examples with configuration options and responsive behavior.

9. Filter Modal​

Advanced Filtering | 435 lines | 1,264 words

Multi-select filter modal with AND/OR logic for cross-project task queries.

Key Topics:

  • 7 filter dimensions (project, phase, status, priority, assignee, tags, date range)
  • AND/OR toggle logic
  • Real-time match count
  • Filter preset save/load
  • Modal animation (slide from right)

Includes: Complete modal HTML structure, CSS animations (300ms ease-in-out), JavaScript filter logic, and LocalStorage integration.

10. Task Detail Modal​

Task Context | 666 lines | 1,760 words

Side drawer modal (60% viewport width) displaying full task context with edit capabilities.

Key Topics:

  • Task metadata (8 fields)
  • Dependency visualization (prerequisite/blocking tasks)
  • Activity timeline (status changes, comments)
  • File attachments
  • Inline editing
  • Related tasks

Includes: Side drawer animation, tab navigation, inline edit mode, and complete ARIA implementation for accessibility.

Additional Documentation (To Be Created)​

11. Global Search ⏸️ Pending​

Search Functionality | TBD

Omnisearch functionality for finding tasks, projects, and checkpoints across entire system.

Planned Topics:

  • Search input with autocomplete
  • Search result categories
  • Keyboard shortcuts (Cmd/Ctrl+K)
  • Search filters and scoping
  • Recent searches

12. Responsive Design ⏸️ Pending​

Mobile & Tablet | TBD

Responsive design patterns for tablet (768px) and mobile (320px) viewports.

Planned Topics:

  • Breakpoint strategy (1024px, 768px, 320px)
  • Mobile navigation (hamburger menu)
  • Touch interactions
  • Simplified layouts for small screens
  • Performance optimization for mobile

13. Accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA) ⏸️ Pending​

Universal Design | TBD

Comprehensive accessibility implementation guide following WCAG 2.1 AA standards.

Planned Topics:

  • Keyboard navigation patterns
  • Screen reader compatibility (ARIA labels)
  • Color contrast compliance (4.5:1 ratio)
  • Focus indicators
  • Skip links
  • Alternative text

14. Technical Implementation ⏸️ Pending​

Development Guide | TBD

Technical implementation roadmap with database schema, API endpoints, and frontend architecture.

Planned Topics:

  • Database schema (6 new tables)
  • SQLite knowledge.db extensions
  • REST API endpoints
  • Frontend technology stack (Pure JS vs. React)
  • State management patterns
  • Performance optimization

15. User Stories & Scenarios ⏸️ Pending​

Use Cases | TBD

Real-world user stories and interaction scenarios for validation testing.

Planned Topics:

  • Product manager scenarios
  • Developer workflows
  • QA tester use cases
  • Executive dashboard viewing
  • Cross-team collaboration patterns

16. References & Research ⏸️ Pending​

Citations & Sources | TBD

Complete reference list of all research sources, design patterns, and industry best practices.

Planned Topics:

  • Industry research citations (10+ sources)
  • Design pattern libraries
  • Accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1)
  • Frontend framework documentation
  • Database design resources

📊 Implementation Status​

DocumentStatusLinesWordsCompletion
01. Executive Summary✅ Complete47307100%
02. Design Philosophy✅ Complete68341100%
03. Overall Architecture✅ Complete128590100%
04. Navigation System✅ Complete5351,410100%
05. Portfolio Overview✅ Complete1821,018100%
06. Multi-Project Kanban Board✅ Complete2941,368100%
07. Timeline Chart✅ Complete3751,114100%
08. Analytics Dashboard✅ Complete2201,119100%
09. Filter Modal✅ Complete4351,264100%
10. Task Detail Modal✅ Complete6661,760100%
11. Global Search⏸️ Pending--0%
12. Responsive Design⏸️ Pending--0%
13. Accessibility⏸️ Pending--0%
14. Technical Implementation⏸️ Pending--0%
15. User Stories⏸️ Pending--0%
16. References⏸️ Pending--0%
TOTAL62.5%2,95010,29110/16

🎯 Quick Navigation by Task Type​

For Designers​

  1. Start with Design Philosophy for research foundation
  2. Review Overall Architecture for design system
  3. Explore component designs (Navigation, Kanban, Modals)

For Developers​

  1. Review Overall Architecture for layout structure
  2. Study implementation prompts in Navigation and Kanban Board
  3. Review Technical Implementation (pending) for backend architecture

For Product Managers​

  1. Start with Executive Summary for project overview
  2. Review User Stories (pending) for use cases
  3. Check Portfolio Overview for dashboard KPIs

For QA Engineers​

  1. Review Accessibility (pending) for WCAG compliance
  2. Study User Stories (pending) for test scenarios
  3. Check Responsive Design (pending) for device testing

🔗 Related Documentation​

Project Planning:

  • PROJECT-PLAN.md - Complete project plan with Dashboard 2.0 implementation roadmap
  • TASKLIST.md - 80+ tasks for Dashboard 2.0 development with checkbox tracking

Current Dashboard:

  • Dashboard v1.5 - Existing dashboard with 14,321 messages, 421 checkpoints

Database Architecture:

📅 Timeline & Budget​

Overall Timeline: 8 weeks (Dec 2025 - Jan 2026)

Phase Breakdown:

  • Week 1 (Dec 2-6): Quick Wins - Parser development ($0, pure development)
  • Weeks 2-3 (Dec 9-20): Sprint 1 - Database-driven task tracking ($20,000)
  • Weeks 4-5 (Jan 6-17): Sprint 2 - Automation and analytics ($20,000)
  • Weeks 6-8 (Jan 20-31): Polish & Launch - Documentation and deployment ($5,000)

Total Budget: $45,000

ROI Analysis:

  • Time Savings: 30% reduction in status meetings (260 hours/year)
  • Annual Value: $78,000/year (260 hours × $300/hour)
  • Payback Period: <7 months
  • 3-Year NPV: $189,000 (10% discount rate)

🚀 Getting Started​

  1. Review Executive Summary - Understand project goals and success criteria
  2. Study Design Philosophy - Learn research-based design patterns
  3. Explore Component Docs - Deep dive into specific UI components
  4. Implement Incrementally - Follow 8-week implementation roadmap

Questions or feedback? Contact: Hal Casteel, Founder/CEO/CTO

Last Updated: 2025-11-27 Documentation Version: 2.0 Status: 62.5% Complete (10 of 16 documents)