USPS Extended Kyle Mead Chelsea Petosa Jenny J Taylor Meagan Tallman
The Brief
Future of The USPS For this project you will design a strategy for the ‘Future of The USPS’. You will present a visual multi-page document that includes your discoveries, research and demonstrated expertise in project management, problem solving and design. This is a team project and semester-length development task. Your design solutions may include the construction of functional models and/or prototypes. All finals will be presented at the end of the semester.
Problem Economic Realities
@
USPS Economic Research Main Problems: • There is a secular, non-cyclical shift away from paper to electronic messaging. • The current economic recession increases the rate of mail volume loss. • Loss of volume starts a downward spiral that is difficult to correct. • Network fixed costs will not drop as fast as volume and revenue. • There is a cap on price increases, but not on cost increases.
Economic Implications • The once indispensable role of the USPS in fostering civic discourse and facilitating personal communications (letters, cards and mailers) has been challenged by the Internet and mobile devices. • With the increase of online shopping and e-commerce, packages will always need to in need and with the cost of said package, services for delivery can be sustainable. • The problem lies in the letter, card, and bulk mail postcards.
Human Communication Competition
Free email and electronic forms of communication. Email Texting Voice Communication Social Networks
USPS Mission
Mission of the Postal Service The United States Postal Service is an independent establishment of the Executive Branch of the Government of the United States and operates in a business-like way. Its mission statement can be found in Section 101(a) of Title 39 of the U.S. Code, also known as the Postal Reorganization Act: The Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people. It shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities.
Core Values
To deliver superior financial, distribution and communication solutions to our customers and create value to our stakeholders.
Creed
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.
History Past and Present of the USPS
1775
1847
1850
1860
1915
1918
Benjamin Franklin becomes the first Postmaster General under the Continental Congress
First postage stamps created picturing George Washington and Ben Franklin
Henry “Box” Brown, a slave in the Southern States mails himself to freedom in the North.
Pony express first began operation to deliver mail
Mail delivery to rural areas began
Scheduled delivery of air mail began
1959
1959
1983
2007
2010
Today
The postal service experiments with “Missile Mail.” That’s right, mail via high speed projectile
The postal service starts introducing high speed machine to help with mail sorting
Zip Codes are created and put into use in order to increase mail delivery accuracy
Forever Stamp is introduced which can be used always for the price that they are purchased for
Protesters fight against the USPS plans to shut down Saturday delivery
Flat mail is in decline, but the last mile, personal mail delivery service is still valued
What is Mail? What Does Mail Do?
The Mail Experience
Types of Mail
Where Does Mail Go?
Mail is a System of...
Mail Requires
Negatives
Competition to USPS
Call to action
Feeling of love
Santa Letters
Overseas
Shipping goods
Zip Code
Speeding tickets
FedEx
Human connection
Nostalgia
Boxes
Domestic
Communication
Stamps
Jury duty
Email/ Electronic Mail
Connection to the world
Tactile experience
Passport services
Jail/Prisons
Addressing the Human condition
Boxes
Takes up time but a convenience
UPS
Updates on life and gossip
Sharing pictures
Junk mail
PO Boxes
Expression of ideas
New item ordered
Letters
Military
Feel Special/ Cared About
Excitement of Getting the mail
Cashing checks
Interaction & customer service Special Seasonal and Regional
Polling Bills Gifts Physical items Mail in Ballots Sure Money速 money orders
Shipping supplies Envelopes
Amazon
Research Personas
Why Personas A provisional persona is a persona created using historical, anecdotal, or statistical knowledge about a certain type of user, but is not based directly on patterns seen in user research. Provisional personas can be a helpful tool for capturing the team’s knowledge about users when talking to actual end users isn’t possible. However, they should be used with caution as they may not be entirely accurate or representative of the user population. When creating personas, we recommend performing some type of research with actual end users whenever possible.
Research Personas
Liliane Age: 70 something Job title: Retained Nurse Lives: Wellington, CO - Rural Technology Experience: Basic knowledge, can email, use word and Google, some knowledge of Facebook USPS Experience: Flat mail delivered to a block, visits local smaller post office location, sends physical cards to family, pays bills via mail, have physical mailbox, hand delivered mail and knows her post-person personally Demographics: The Grandma and mother of Karen Social Life: Visits her local USPS where she socializes with friends, part of clubs and the butterfly pavilion and church retired nurse Work Life: Grand kids and church User Motivation: Personalize, traditional, crafty, easy to use interface, convenient, effective and thoughtful, time saver communicate and correct, make them feel special Why would they use it: Personalize, traditional, crafty, easy to use interface, convenient, effective and thoughtful, time saver What are they trying to accomplish: Communicate and correct, make them feel special
Research Personas
Karen Age: 40 something Job title: Mom Lives: Highlands Ranch - Suburbs Technology Experience: Active on Social media, emails, pays bills online, Pintrest and shops online USPS Experience: Still send physical invites and photos of kids and get monthly physical magazines, CBU Demographics: Wife and remarried to Gary Social Life: Stay at home mom, crafty, it’s all about her kids, crazy wife women with SUV Work Life: Volunteers at kid’s school User Motivation: Kids, happiness, working out, crafts cooking Why would they use it: Mailing list super fast and groups, importing form other applications, personalize, traditional, crafty, easy to use interface, convenient, effecting, and thoughtful, time saver What are they trying to accomplish: Efficacy, correct, get shit done faster, keep people informed
Research Personas
Jeremy Age: 40 something Job title: Business person, paid well Lives: Florida - city Technology Experience: Very techie, has the lasted and greatest technology USPS Experience: Mailbox, send legal docs, sends thing to kids that live out of state, mails work documents, security in his documents are import, personally and business. Does a lot of certified, overnight mail for business, receives a ton of business mail but not much personal mail Demographics: Divorced Dad Social Life: Social life merges with is business life Work Life: His work is life, business User Motivation: Work, relationships (biz and personal) Why would they use it: Send mailers, legal docs etc for biz, easier, can use model divines on the go, reminders for kid’s birthdays, still personal and secure, convenient, thoughtful, time saver, didn’t have time to go to the post office What are they trying to accomplish: Efficacy, correct, get shit done faster, keep people informed What are they trying to accomplish: Connecting with clients and do things faster then the commutation, connect with family
Research Personas
Evin Age: 20 something Job title: College student out of state Lives: San Fran - Urban Technology Experience: Very techie, grew up with computers USPS Experience: Letter, legal doc back but not that often, has on campus post office box, send small about of birthday cards and letters to family, get mail from mommy Demographics: The Son Social Life: On a budget, doesn’t have car, goes out a lot Work Life: Student User Motivation: Parties, girls, friends Why would they use it: Legal docs etc for biz, easier, can use model divorced on the go, reminders for kid’s birthdays, still personal and secure, convenient, and thoughtful, time saver, doesn’t even know where the post office is What are they trying to accomplish: Forced and less personal but just needs to get it done fast
Solution
Environment, Security, Accessibility, Conservative, Community
Solution
The Post Office is a hub for connection in our communities. • Combination for Online Printers, Groupon, Cafepress, Etsy, Ecards • Website • Drop files, recipient contact info, handwriting. • Files consist of scanned documents, cards, bulk mailers. • USPS side • File is sent to a printing queue at the closes USPS location to the recipient. • File is printed and put in a envelope with a stamp that has a hash value assigned to it. • Then document file is then destroyed but the unique hash value keeps the record of delivery. • Notification can be sent to sender upon arrival.
Personas Needs
Liliane Needs:
Jeremy Needs:
Easy to use, convenient interface. Personalization Customization Handwritten feel
Security Federal Backing Ability to create and store contact groups Bulk mailer capabilities
Karen Needs:
Evin Needs:
Easy to use, convenient interface Ability to create and store contact groups Customization Personalization
Convenience Security Online interface WW
How a Letter Gets from Sender to Receiver Sorting Post Office Office
Sorting Post Office Office
Sorting Facility
Delivery Truck
Plane
Delivery Truck
Post Office
Sorting Facility
Delivery Truck
Delivery Truck
Post Office
Postman
Delivery Truck
Postal Box
Postman Sender Mailbox Receiver
How a Letter Gets from Sender to Receiver With USPS Extended
Computer
Sender
Receiver
Mailbox Post Office
Printer
Post Office
Postman Delivery Truck
Printed At Nearest Location
Solution Identity - Brainstorming
USPS EXTENDED USPS
USPS EXTENDED
E X T E N DE D
USPS EXTENDED
Solution Identity - Variations
Solution Identity - Final
Solution Task Flow
Solution Task Flow
Choose Color
Create Account
Visit USPS Extended Landing Page
Enter Information (name, user name, password, language, physical address(s) or P.O Box, user name, password)
Upload Handwriting
No
Import/Set Up Contacts
Yes
Customize Profile
Import from Email/Scoial Media
Taskflow for “USPS Extended” Website
Choose Typeface
Yes
Draw Letterforms/ Upload
Log In
No
Change Language
Not Now
Upload Image
Change Font Size
Save Design Create Card Create
Upload Artwork Upload to Community
Preview
Create Artwork Create Stationary
Design Online
Use Design Now
See All Cards Send a Card Choose an Occassion
Card Options (color, message options)
Community Cards
Create Card
Upload Artwork Card Options
Not Now Write Personal Message (select font, color, etc)
Create Artwork
No
Design Online
Notify Me After My Mail has Printed
See All Stationary (plain, business, specialty) Send a Letter/ One Page Document
Choose Type/ Occassion
Preview
Customize Options (color, border, footer, header upload logo)
Upload Artwork Stationary Options (business, occassion, size)
Review Document Upload PDF
Choose a Template
Upload PDF
Choose Color
Customize Profile
Custom Header and Footer Options
Upload/ Write Message Review Document
Secure Document
Choose Typeface
Change Language Upload Image
Change Font Size
Yes
Store Card Information
Secure/Verified E-Signature
Mailing Options (estimated delivery time, stamp options)
Notification Options
Notify Me When Leaving to Deliver ($)
Notify Me After Delivery ($)
Review Order and View Cost Breakdown
Payment Options
PayPal
Taken to PayPal
Business or Personal Account
Input Information
Returned to Site
Store Information? No
Write Personal Message (select font, color, etc)
Create Artwork
Fill in and Customize Template
Multi-Page Document
Select Recipients Insert Contact Information
Design Online
Choose a Template
Store Information?
Select Existing Contacts
Community Stationary Create Stationary
Credit Card/ Debit Card
Not Now
Payment Received
Yes
Store Account Information
Return Home
Notification Message when Mail is Printed at Post Office
Solution Task Flow | Log In
Choose Color
Create Account
Visit USPS Extended Landing Page
Enter Information (name, user name, password, language, physical address(s) or P.O Box, user name, password)
Upload Handwriting Yes
Draw Letterforms/ Upload
Log In
No
Import/Set Up Contacts
No
Import from Email/Scoial Media
Customize Profile
Choose Typeface
Yes
Change Language
Not Now
Upload Image
Change Font Size
Save Design Create Card Create
Upload Artwork Preview
Create Artwork Create Stationary
Design Online
Upload to Community
Use Design Now
Main Tasks and Capabilities What Can You Do?
Mail Options Card
Multi-Page Document
Letter/One-Page Document
Create
Create
Create
Upload
Upload
Upload
Secure Document
Upload
Customization Options and Abilities
Customize Cards, Letters, and Multi-Page Documents USPS Extended provides customizable templates for personalization and convenience. Templates are pre-designed and have options such as the ability to add the name of the recipient, change colors, pick themes, and to fill in specified content areas with your own personal message. Cards also include internal message options.
Security Options and Abilities
Form W-4 (2014) Purpose. Complete Form W-4 so that your employer can withhold the correct federal income tax from your pay. Consider completing a new Form W-4 each year and when your personal or financial situation changes. Exemption from withholding. If you are exempt, complete only lines 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 and sign the form to validate it. Your exemption for 2014 expires February 17, 2015. See Pub. 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax. Note. If another person can claim you as a dependent on his or her tax return, you cannot claim exemption from withholding if your income exceeds $1,000 and includes more than $350 of unearned income (for example, interest and dividends). Exceptions. An employee may be able to claim exemption from withholding even if the employee is a dependent, if the employee: • Is age 65 or older, • Is blind, or • Will claim adjustments to income; tax credits; or itemized deductions, on his or her tax return.
The exceptions do not apply to supplemental wages greater than $1,000,000. Basic instructions. If you are not exempt, complete the Personal Allowances Worksheet below. The worksheets on page 2 further adjust your withholding allowances based on itemized deductions, certain credits, adjustments to income, or two-earners/multiple jobs situations. Complete all worksheets that apply. However, you may claim fewer (or zero) allowances. For regular wages, withholding must be based on allowances you claimed and may not be a flat amount or percentage of wages. Head of household. Generally, you can claim head of household filing status on your tax return only if you are unmarried and pay more than 50% of the costs of keeping up a home for yourself and your dependent(s) or other qualifying individuals. See Pub. 501, Exemptions, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information, for information. Tax credits. You can take projected tax credits into account in figuring your allowable number of withholding allowances. Credits for child or dependent care expenses and the child tax credit may be claimed using the Personal Allowances Worksheet below. See Pub. 505 for information on converting your other credits into withholding allowances.
Nonwage income. If you have a large amount of nonwage income, such as interest or dividends, consider making estimated tax payments using Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals. Otherwise, you may owe additional tax. If you have pension or annuity iincome, see Pub. 505 to find out if you should adjust your withholding on Form W-4 or W-4P. Two earners or multiple jobs. If you have a working spouse or more than one job, figure the total number of allowances you are entitled to claim on all jobs using worksheets from only one Form W-4. Your withholding usually will be most accurate when all allowances are claimed on the Form W-4 for the highest paying job and zero allowances are claimed on the others. See Pub. 505 for details. Nonresident alien. If you are a nonresident alien, see Notice 1392, Supplemental Form W-4 Instructions for Nonresident Aliens, before completing this form. Check your withholding. After your Form W-4 takes effect, use Pub. 505 to see how the amount you are having withheld compares to your projected total tax for 2014. See Pub. 505, especially if your earnings exceed $130,000 (Single) or $180,000 (Married). Future developments. Information about any future developments affecting Form W-4 (such as legislation enacted after we release it) will be posted at www.irs.gov/w4.
Personal Allowances Worksheet (Keep for your records.) A
Enter “1” for yourself if no one else can claim you as a dependent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A • You are single and have only one job; or Enter “1” if: B • You are married, have only one job, and your spouse does not work; or . . . • Your wages from a second job or your spouse’s wages (or the total of both) are $1,500 or less. Enter “1” for your spouse. But, you may choose to enter “-0-” if you are married and have either a working spouse or more than one job. (Entering “-0-” may help you avoid having too little tax withheld.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C Enter number of dependents (other than your spouse or yourself) you will claim on your tax return . . . . . . . . D Enter “1” if you will file as head of household on your tax return (see conditions under Head of household above) . . E Enter “1” if you have at least $2,000 of child or dependent care expenses for which you plan to claim a credit . . . F (Note. Do not include child support payments. See Pub. 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses, for details.) Child Tax Credit (including additional child tax credit). See Pub. 972, Child Tax Credit, for more information. • If your total income will be less than $65,000 ($95,000 if married), enter “2” for each eligible child; then less “1” if you have three to six eligible children or less “2” if you have seven or more eligible children. G • If your total income will be between $65,000 and $84,000 ($95,000 and $119,000 if married), enter “1” for each eligible child . . . Add lines A through G and enter total here. (Note. This may be different from the number of exemptions you claim on your tax return.) ▶ H
{
B C D E F G
H
For accuracy, complete all worksheets that apply.
}
{
• If you plan to itemize or claim adjustments to income and want to reduce your withholding, see the Deductions
and Adjustments Worksheet on page 2. • If you are single and have more than one job or are married and you and your spouse both work and the combined earnings from all jobs exceed $50,000 ($20,000 if married), see the Two-Earners/Multiple Jobs Worksheet on page 2 to avoid having too little tax withheld. • If neither of the above situations applies, stop here and enter the number from line H on line 5 of Form W-4 below. Separate here and give Form W-4 to your employer. Keep the top part for your records.
Form
W-4
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
1
Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate
OMB No. 1545-0074
▶ Whether you are entitled to claim a certain number of allowances or exemption from withholding is
subject to review by the IRS. Your employer may be required to send a copy of this form to the IRS.
Your first name and middle initial
2
Last name
Home address (number and street or rural route)
3
Single
Married
2014
Your social security number
Married, but withhold at higher Single rate.
Note. If married, but legally separated, or spouse is a nonresident alien, check the “Single” box. City or town, state, and ZIP code
4 If your last name differs from that shown on your social security card, check here. You must call 1-800-772-1213 for a replacement card. ▶
5 6 7
Total number of allowances you are claiming (from line H above or from the applicable worksheet on page 2) 5 Additional amount, if any, you want withheld from each paycheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 $ I claim exemption from withholding for 2014, and I certify that I meet both of the following conditions for exemption. • Last year I had a right to a refund of all federal income tax withheld because I had no tax liability, and • This year I expect a refund of all federal income tax withheld because I expect to have no tax liability. If you meet both conditions, write “Exempt” here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ▶ 7
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this certificate and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete. Employee’s signature (This form is not valid unless you sign it.) 8
Date ▶
▶
Employer’s name and address (Employer: Complete lines 8 and 10 only if sending to the IRS.)
For Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see page 2.
9 Office code (optional)
Cat. No. 10220Q
10
Employer identification number (EIN) Form W-4 (2014)
Secure Documents and Verified E-Signature Files USPS Extended makes it easy to send secure documents and signed documents from your own computer. With E-Signature options and federal backing, you can rest assured that your files are verified, secure, and will reach their destination safely. The E-Signature and security options can help streamline business operations and delivery options are now faster than ever before.
Solution Wireframes - Sketches
Solution Wireframes - Sketches
Solution Wireframes