Why data, not design, is the real challenge in portal delivery
Whether B2C or B2B, portal projects are inherently complex and risk-laden. The core challenge? Delivering data in a way that customers and partners actually want to consume it. And too often, data is treated as an afterthought.
Two Core Components: Interface & Data
Every portal project can be broken down into two fundamental parts:
- Interface: The user experience, design, and navigation
- Data: The structure, quality, and accessibility of information
While the interface gets the attention, it’s the data that determines success.
The Hidden Risk: Data Exposure
Portal projects often force businesses to confront the reality of their data—sometimes for the first time.
Questions arise:
- How much data do we actually have?
- What’s the quality of that data?
- Can it be presented cleanly and logically?
If the portal supports transactional functionality, the stakes are even higher.
Architectural decisions around CDM (Canonical Data Model) or MDM (Master Data Management) become critical to ensure consistency across systems and users.
Data: The Common Stumbling Block
Across more than 40 portal projects delivered by Digital Rehab, data has consistently been the greatest barrier to smooth delivery.
Businesses typically face two choices:
- Accept that their data is “good enough”
- Overhaul the entire data layer—often triggering broader questions about enterprise architecture and dramatically expanding project scope and cost
A Phased Approach Is Key
Balancing functionality with delivery timelines is a tough call.
Our recommendation:
Start small. Prioritise core functionality. Release early. Then listen.
Allow time for customer and partner feedback.
Use that input to shape future releases – especially around data presentation and transactional capabilities.
Final Thought
Portals succeed not because they look good, but because they work well. And that means putting data at the heart of your strategy – not at the end of your checklist.
