Field Issue Analytics Dashboard

Applied Materials - Internal Tool

Problem

Managers needed real-time visibility into lab and device status and field issue trends. Data existed but was fragmented across multiple sources. Debugging cycles were slow, and there was no systematic way to identify patterns or prioritize improvements.

Scope & Scale

• Users: Multiple teams across the organization
• Review cadence: Reviewed daily by managers and engineers
• Usage: Primary tool for field issue triage and prioritization decisions
• Longevity: Readiness review cycles approximately every 3 months

Constraints

• Data scattered across multiple sources and formats
• Need for real-time visibility without manual refresh
• Must be accessible to non-technical stakeholders
• Historical data required for trend analysis

Approach

KPI Design

Defined a metric tree that traced from high-level health indicators down to actionable signals:

Dashboard Components

Built dashboards that surfaced:

• Lab status overview: Real-time view of device states and test progress
• Failure mode trends: Which categories are increasing/decreasing over time
• Outlier detection: Devices cycling faster or slower than expected baseline
• Anomaly flags: Unusual test sequences flagged for manual review

Key Decisions

• Automation over manual entry: Reduced human error and ensured consistent data capture
• Tableau for visualization: Enabled non-technical stakeholders to explore data independently
• Database storage: Allowed historical trend analysis and pattern recognition
• Rule-based classification: Validated against known baselines before flagging, building trust in the system
• Daily cadence over weekly: Faster feedback loop for catching issues early

Outcome

Before: Manual field issue tracking with limited visibility into patterns

After:

• Improved decision-making speed—trends spotted in hours instead of weeks
• Reduced wasted lab resources through early detection of unexpected cycling behavior
• Permanent adoption as standard tool for field issue management
• Clear visibility enabled better prioritization discussions with R&D

Technologies

Python scripting, Database design, Tableau, CSV/Log parsing, Automated scheduling

Media

Dashboard screenshots coming soon