Allison Pittler apittler@kent.edu 724-600-5465
Over the past 10 or so years, the pace of software and product development has increased. There’s a few reasons for this. One is the popularity of the web and mobile platforms. As more applications have migrated to the web browser and mobile applications, teams were able to leave their legacy desktop code behind. Also, since the web and mobile have their own built-in distribution channels, it was no longer necessary to box up your software product and sell it in a store.
USER RESEARCH
Another factor influencing the pace of software and product development is the increased popularity of development processes like Agile, Scrum, Lean, and Extreme programming.
Reminderx
While these different processes differ slightly in their details, the common thread is that they all focus on the development of working software or pieces of software, breaking down software construction into manageable chunks, developing features iteratively, and focusing on continuous, or at least short episodic delivery timeframes such as weekly or every two weeks. This practice of delivering weekly or biweekly is generically known as a “sprint”.
Allison Pittler ReminderX User Research July 15, 2018
2
ReminderX: User Research
Contents
01. Consent NDA 02. Intro & Moderator's Guide 03. Questions & Activities 04. Session One 06. Session Two 08. Session Three 10. Session Four
Consent NDA After reading this consent agreement, I will ask you to state your name and whether you agree to the following terms of this interview: Study name: ReminderX
Non-disclosure
Interview Recording and Note Taking
Voluntary participation
During the study, new web designs, hardware, software or services may be discussed. Do you agree not to disclose any information relating to such new web designs, hardware, software or services or any detailed information about the study and my participation it? Do you agree to not use any of your own personal recording devices (including but not limited to cameras/cell phones) during the study.
Your participation is voluntary and you may withdraw from this session at any time.
Please state your name and whether you agree or disagree to the terms of this interview.
Consent to recorded interview sessions
Freedom to withdraw
Your likeness will never be used for marketing purposes. Summary data from the observations and interviews may be published for business purposes and industry research case studies. Do I have your permission to record video and audio for the purpose of this interview?
I understand that I am free to withdraw from this study at any time, but that I may not get paid if I withdraw before the study is final.
Your interview today will be recorded using audio recording software. Recordings and/or notes will be used only for the purpose of data analysis and for communicating research findings and recommendations to an internal business audience or industry research case studies.
Confidentiality I understand that my full name will not be used in the research report. I understand that my information will be kept with the strictest confidentiality. You will not receive any follow-up sales calls as a result of your participation in this study.
Questions You are free to ask questions at any time, and if the answers provided are not sufficient, you may withdraw from the study.
Informed Consent Please state your name and whether you agree or disagree to the terms of this interview.
01
Intro & Moderator's Guide
Thank you for participating today and agreeing to provide your feedback. I’m going to be asking you a series of questions that have to do with reminders and to-do lists. The overall purpose of the study is gather data about how people use reminders and to-do list applications in order to improve the experience. Before we begin, I just have a few things to go over: I may take notes periodically during our session to help me remember things you say about your experience with to-do lists and reminders. As previously stated, I will be recording our session so that I can go back and catch anything I may have missed.
ReminderX is a simple to-do list and reminder app that is available on both Apple and Android. The founders of ReminderX are seeking to enhance the features and functionality of their application.
I may ask you to walk me through your process. If this involves using an application, I may ask you to think aloud. This means I would like you to not only describe the process, but provide thoughts, opinions, or feelings you may have while doing so. I'm not here to evaluate you. I'm here to learn about what works for you, what doesn't work for you, and why, in order to produce a better product. The information you provide will be kept confidential, your name won’t be associated with the information. If at any time you need to stop or take a break, let me know and we will do so. Any questions before we begin?
02
Questions & Activities
01
Consent NDA (begin recording) Introductions Ensure video and audio connectivity & clarity.
04
Review goals of the interviewing session.
02
Would you say that you have a busy schedule? Is it difficult for you to manage/remember tasks and lists?
05
03
Why did you choose this method, tool, or application?
How do you manage completed tasks? Do you mark off items in a list individually all at once upon completion? Do you feel that your method/application is reliable? Why/Why not?
How do you plan your schedule? (daily, weekly, etc.?)
What do you use to record reminders & to-do lists?
Can you walk me through your process of creating a reminder from start to finish? Please think aloud as you demonstrate. Is there anything you wish it could do that it doesn’t?
Would you consider yourself organized?
What do you typically set reminders/ to-do lists for?
Do you prefer a certain phone application when setting reminders / making to-do lists?
06
Final thoughts/comments? Thank you so much for your time and participation in this interview. (end recording)
03
Session 1
01
● ● ● ● ●
Female Kindergarten teacher 2 Children (Elementary School - Age) Married Not confident in technology skill level
Consent NDA (begin recording) Introductions
04
Ensure video and audio connectivity & clarity. Review goals of the interviewing session.
02
Would you say that you have a busy schedule? Is it difficult for you to manage/remember tasks and lists?
05
03 04
Why did you choose this method, tool, or application?
How do you manage completed tasks? Do you mark off items in a list individually all at once upon completion? Do you feel that your method/application is reliable? Why/Why not?
How do you plan your schedule? (daily, weekly, etc.?)
What do you use to record reminders & to-do lists?
Can you walk me through your process of creating a reminder from start to finish? Please think aloud as you demonstrate. Is there anything you wish it could do that it doesn’t?
Would you consider yourself organized?
What do you typically set reminders/ to-do lists for?
Do you prefer a certain phone application when setting reminders / making to-do lists?
06
Final thoughts/comments? Thank you so much for your time and participation in this interview. (end recording)
Preferred Application(s):
● Handwritten Lists ● iPhone's Reminder App
"I like to write it because I feel like I'll remember it if I write it."
IPhone Application Likes:
iPhone Application Dislikes:
Appears on phone which she keeps with her
Difficult to enter Has difficulty deleting –never goes away Prefers to see a monthly overview
Handwritten List/ Reminder Likes:
Handwritten Dislikes:
Quicker/easier than using phone
Not available "on-the-go"
Monthly view Easier for her to remember when writing things down
05
Session 2
01
● ● ● ● ●
Male College Student Works in the summer Lives with mom, dad, & brother Prefers his online university planner
Consent NDA (begin recording) Introductions
04
Ensure video and audio connectivity & clarity. Review goals of the interviewing session.
02
Would you say that you have a busy schedule? Is it difficult for you to manage/remember tasks and lists?
05
03 06
Why did you choose this method, tool, or application?
How do you manage completed tasks? Do you mark off items in a list individually all at once upon completion? Do you feel that your method/application is reliable? Why/Why not?
How do you plan your schedule? (daily, weekly, etc.?)
What do you use to record reminders & to-do lists?
Can you walk me through your process of creating a reminder from start to finish? Please think aloud as you demonstrate. Is there anything you wish it could do that it doesn’t?
Would you consider yourself organized?
What do you typically set reminders/ to-do lists for?
Do you prefer a certain phone application when setting reminders / making to-do lists?
06
Final thoughts/comments? Thank you so much for your time and participation in this interview. (end recording)
Preferred Application(s):
â—? University Planner, "Schoolology" â—? Handwritten Planner
"It is a web-based [application], so you have to have internet or wifi connection to use it. So, in places that I take my computer that I don't have [internet access] it's kind of hard to keep track of."
Schoolology Likes:
Schoolology Dislikes:
Web & mobile app
Needs internet connection
Easy to use
Planner should be automatically updated with school calendar
Provides calendar with due dates/deadliens
Unable to control reminder alerts
Handwritten List/ Reminder Likes:
Handwritten Dislikes:
Ability to check off tasks as they're completed
Prefers to have everything in one place
07
Session 3
01
● ● ● ● ●
Female Pre-K Teacher Married 2 Children - (teen & college) Stressed from hectic schedule
Consent NDA (begin recording) Introductions
04
Ensure video and audio connectivity & clarity. Review goals of the interviewing session.
02
Would you say that you have a busy schedule? Is it difficult for you to manage/remember tasks and lists?
05
03 08
Why did you choose this method, tool, or application?
How do you manage completed tasks? Do you mark off items in a list individually all at once upon completion? Do you feel that your method/application is reliable? Why/Why not?
How do you plan your schedule? (daily, weekly, etc.?)
What do you use to record reminders & to-do lists?
Can you walk me through your process of creating a reminder from start to finish? Please think aloud as you demonstrate. Is there anything you wish it could do that it doesn’t?
Would you consider yourself organized?
What do you typically set reminders/ to-do lists for?
Do you prefer a certain phone application when setting reminders / making to-do lists?
06
Final thoughts/comments? Thank you so much for your time and participation in this interview. (end recording)
Preferred Application(s):
â—? iPhone Reminder App â—? Handwritten Yearly Planner
"I plan out everything; appointments, when I have to work, when my kids work, when they have special appointments..."
iPhone Application Likes:
iPhone Application Dislikes:
Phone is always on her
Reminders just add up
If she misses something on her planner, it's a nice notification 2nd reminder
Easier to write it down - limits iphone lists to just a few items
Handwritten List/ Reminder Likes:
Handwritten Dislikes:
Monthly view
Sometimes forgets to check the planner Doesn't always have the list/ reminders at hand
09
Session 4
01
● ● ● ● ●
Female Music Business Professional Travels frequently for work Prefers iPhone Calendar Prefers Notes app for lists
Consent NDA (begin recording) Introductions
04
Ensure video and audio connectivity & clarity. Review goals of the interviewing session.
02
Would you say that you have a busy schedule? Is it difficult for you to manage/remember tasks and lists?
05
03 10
Why did you choose this method, tool, or application?
How do you manage completed tasks? Do you mark off items in a list individually all at once upon completion? Do you feel that your method/application is reliable? Why/Why not?
How do you plan your schedule? (daily, weekly, etc.?)
What do you use to record reminders & to-do lists?
Can you walk me through your process of creating a reminder from start to finish? Please think aloud as you demonstrate. Is there anything you wish it could do that it doesn’t?
Would you consider yourself organized?
What do you typically set reminders/ to-do lists for?
Do you prefer a certain phone application when setting reminders / making to-do lists?
06
Final thoughts/comments? Thank you so much for your time and participation in this interview. (end recording)
Preferred Application(s): â—? iPhone Calendar App â—? iPhone Notes App
"I not only have daily checklists, but yearly checklists, too. I think that it's good to be able to pull those up and look at your goals."
iPhone Application Likes:
iPhone Application Dislikes:
Integrates directly through email accounts
Not much she would change, likes the simplicity
Syncs throughout devices using the cloud Helps manage travel schedule (flights, airlines) All phone meeting infor automatically inserted All information in one location It's simple - doesn't need it to be too in-depth Notes allows you to place check marks next to completed tasks
11
Allison Pittler User Experience Designer Pittsburgh, PA
(724) 600-5465 apittler@kent.edu allisonpittler.com