ReminderX - UX Brief

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.

UX BRIEF

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 UX Brief July 23, 2018

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INTRODUCTION PROJECT BACKGROUND Co-founders Vera and Jorge want to enhance the features and functionality of their simple to-do list and reminder app, ReminderX. UX Practitioner, Allison Pittler will assist Vera and Jorge in taking ReminderX to the next level.

This UX services for this project are being provided by Allison Pittler for the optimization of the ReminderX application.

In response to the request by Vera of ReminderX, Allison is responsible for following tasks: • Pinpoint the target market for ReminderX • Determine the needs of the users • Develop solutions to problems

ACTIVITIES/ QUESTIONS

USER RESEARCH GOALS This phase of the project involved conducting interviews to better understand the target users for the ReminderX application. Four interview sessions were scheduled and recorded.

Each interview consisted of a list of questions formulated to provide insight to who the target users are, why they would use the application, and their thoughts and feelings they experience while using it (or similar reminder or to-do list applications). Following the interviews, Allison preformed an analysis of the audio recordings, taking note of key points.

From the audio analysis, information was categorized to pinpoint the main focus areas to move forward with the ReminderX project.

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Consent NDA

Would you say that you have a busy schedule?

(begin recording) Introductions Ensure video and audio connectivity & clarity.

Review goals of the interviewing session.

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Do you prefer a certain phone application when setting reminders / making 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?

Is it difficult for you to manage/ remember tasks and lists?

Would you consider yourself organized?

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What do you typically set reminders/ to-do lists for?

What do you use to record reminders & to-do lists?

Why did you choose this method, tool, or application?

How do you plan your schedule? (daily, weekly, etc.?)

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How do you manage completed tasks?

Final thoughts/ comments?

Do you mark off items in a list individually all at once upon completion?

Thank you so much for your time and participation in this interview.

Do you feel that your method/application is reliable? Why/Why not?

(end recording)

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FINDINGS 75

% OF USERS

RESEARCHED

100

% OF USERS

RESEARCHED

Prefer hand-written notes/reminders

Manage more than one calendar

Allow reminders to "pile up" on their phone

Prefer to check off items in a list as they're completed

The user research revealed that all participants consider their schedule to be hectic, stressful, and at times overwhelming. All users rely on some form of scheduling tool or application to maintain a structured and organized lifestyle. 75% of participants prefer to jot down reminders by hand, utilizing a planner, monthly/yearly calendar, or to-do list. All of the same participants use mobile and/or web applications in addition to the handwritten reminders and lists. The rationale behind utilizing both methods ties back into the stress they encounter from their hectic schedules.

Fear of not checking their hand-written lists or reminders has led them to place the additional alert/reminder in their application of choice, knowing that they never leave the house without their phone. Regardless of age or technology skilllevel, these users find that hand-written reminders are lists are "just easier" and take less time than plugging something into an application.

75

% OF USERS

RESEARCHED

Stated that reminder applications should be better organized Struggle with adding reminders to their applications; it "takes too much time"

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% OF USERS

RESEARCHED

Believe crossapplication integration is/would be useful Like to set more than one reminder per entry

When it comes to lists, they want to be able to check items off as they are completed. A common annoyance for this group is being over-alerted.

Several participants explained that they never seem to delete reminders from their phone and ultimately they "keep adding up". The 25% that primarily uses iPhone applications for reminders, to-do's, and alerts, enjoy that their email syncs directly to her calendar automatically, saving time and reducing stress. This user prefers the iPhone's "Notes" application for to-do lists, which allows you to make checklists. However, aside from creating a list/note title, there is no other way to organize your lists. All participants have several different schedules to keep track of due to kids & their schedules, work and personal, school and work, etc. They tend to either use multiple calendars; causing even more stress and feelings of disorganization, or pile everything into one calendar, which causes them to feel overwhelmed.

RECOMMENDATIONS 1

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Daily: Tasks + detail

Utilizing voice, text, or stylus entry will help to speed-up the entry process / make the application more accessible

MULTIPLE VIEWS ENTRY METHOD Weekly: "Planner view" Monthly: Overview Task: Timeline of tasks/

to-do lists

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INTEGRATION

The ability to automatically add events/reminders sent through an email account or through social media, text messages, etc.

Having multiple views allows users to select what is most comfortable for them.

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ALERT SETTINGS Grouping: Ability to create categories/tags for alerts for quick access, ex: work - alert me: 1 day before & 1 week before.

Add as many additional alerts as you need.

Post-due alerts can be turned off and autodeleted for users that struggle with alerts that "pile up".

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TASKS/TO-DO'S

Give users the ability to check off tasks or swipe them away. These tasks will disappear from the list but will be stored in a "completed" tasks section. As an incentive, users could have the option to receive a weekly task reward message, providing a summary of the tasks completed throughout the week.

A timeline of tasks will help to organize information and reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.

Lists can be reorganized by tapping & dragging into place.

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ORGANIZATION

Tasks, lists, and reminders can be color-coded for each purpose/category. (ex. work, personal, school, etc.) This would allow better organization and structure.

A widget for "today's tasks/reminders" could be available for the home screen to provide information at a glance.

Since many people work in teams, manage their children’s' schedules, multi-user access would allow team members/ parents and kids to share lists or reminders.

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INTUITIVE DESIGN Clean and simple, easy to use

The application shouldn't add stress to the users' hectic lives Providing a tutorial upon installation can help with this. This tutorial should have the ability to be accessed again at any time.

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TIME MANAGEMENT Many individuals feel that their lives are hectic due to poor time management.

With the option of applying a timer to a task, users will have the ability to set a start time that will keep track of how much time the particular task took to complete. The timer will end when the task is "swiped" or checked completed.

The application can save the timed tasks of the user to review and evaluate how much time is being spent on each task they recorded.

Weekly or monthly breakdowns can show improvements/where the users struggle most.

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TARGET PERSONA VANESSA ● Organized ● Travels Often ● Avid Planner

31 Nashville, TN Marketing Manager

PREFERRED APPLICATION(S):

● iPhone Reminder App

● Team Leader

SCENARIO

Vanessa is extremely career-oriented. She recently got promoted to marketing manager.

She’s a self-starter and extremely motivated in her career. She feels that there should be a better way to manage her work and personal life. She often gets overwhelmed by her schedule, yet has set a goal to take on five new clients by the end of the year. Lack of structure makes her feel disoriented and lost. She knows taking on the additional clients will be a huge move in the right direction for her career.

However, she worries about adding to her already busy schedule.

She is hoping to find a way to improve her time management.

● iPhone Notes App

GOALS

Take on 5 new clients by the end of the year Manage and balance personal schedule & work schedule Planning long-term goals (purchasing a home)

FREQUENCY

SKILLS

MOTIVATION

Excellent with her iPhone – Keeps it on her at all times

Weekly travel for career

Her education / career has forced her to become very comfortable with technology (applications)

Need for organization in personal and professional life

PAIN POINTS

Constant changes in schedule

NEEDS

Daily planning and reminders

Feels overwhelmed by her schedule

Flight schedules and reminders

Likes to plan ahead of time –months in advance in possible

Poor work/personal life balance

Meeting/appointment times & information

Lack of structure

Grocery lists Integration through email

DESIGN TENETS MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE:

Give users the option to choose their preferred layout and entry method.

Most likely, the users already have a preferred method for reminders. What works for some, won't for others. Since schedules vary immensly, it is important for users to have the option to choose –and change their minds! Same goes for their reminder/to-do list entry method.

DON'T JUST RECORD, ENCOURAGE: Motivate users with rewards.

Track success and improvement.

It is important that the users see firsthand that ReminderX is helping them with time management and organization.

Design for success they can see. Give them access to their completed tasks and breakdowns of how their time managemnt has improved.

DON'T STRESS ME OUT, HELP ME:

Don't bombard users with alerts and information they don't want.

Allow the users to determine how when and how often they would like to be reminded. If they prefer to turn off alerts for past-due reminders/tasks, give them that option. Give them the capability to snooze work alerts after work hours. Ensure the user can distinguish between categories of tasks/lists.

THE LESS I HAVE TO DO, THE BETTER: Design for integration with email, social media, and other applications.

Ease of use is key. Design the application to feel essentially effortless. Allow for seamless integration into the users' lives. Allow the user to select text and from anywhere on the web and create a task/reminder. Give them the ability to sync reminders from email/other applications to ReminderX automatically.

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Allison Pittler User Experience Designer Pittsburgh, PA

(724) 600-5465 apittler@kent.edu allisonpittler.com