Unstucked — From MVP to UX Design
How we were able to implement a new form of digital solution to procrastination through research and validation methods with users.
The Design Process
The app went through a process called the ‘Double Diamond’ Design Process which consists of 4 iterative stages that helped develop the project from its ideation phase, and all the way into its testing.
The Product
We have all experienced the uncomfortable feelings of not wanting to complete tasks that end up in procrastination. And that is what the product wants to tackle, but initially what seem the perfect solution for users was not in fact what they needed. And that was the first challenge that Unstucked had to face.
User Research
After doing desk research and reading about human psychology and anthropology, I thought that what people needed to overcome procrastination -which is caused by feeling overwhelmed- was finding the perfect place to work from, and the best person to work with. Then, an initial stage of benchmarking started, because analyzing what other apps are doing and performing a SWOT analysis on them is crucial for creating a unique Value Proposition.
But it was the findings of the User Research the ones who showed what users really wanted, and what was more suitable for the market.
Learnings and Insights
My users did not want what I thought -during the ideation phase- they needed, instead they wanted to keep track of their tasks, and learn how to be more productive (i.e. anti-procrastination and productivity tips) while also feeling calm when everything seems like too much (i.e. meditation and mindfulness exercises).
Design Phase
With the learnings and insights the design phase of ‘Unstucked’ started, with this, it was primordial to start with the path of decisions and actions that the users were going to go through to achieve their goals. In the wireframing process, different screens were created, and the prototype was validated in Usability Testing sessions. Testing and understanding the failures, observations, but also positive comments they had of the product.
The solution: The product revisited
So, what is Unstucked? Imagine that you have a deadline for a presentation at work on Wednesday, and some readings and homework to do for school over the week, but it is also your best friend’s birthday on Saturday and you haven’t bought her a present yet. You start feeling like it is too much!
Instead of procrastinating and going to take a nap, you open Unstucked, create your tasks, break them into smaller tasks -something backed up by psychology and productivity coaches-, and follow closely what you have to do to finish those tasks.
But then it is still feeling like it is too much, and you start getting anxious, so you set a goal on the app, use the Pomodoro Time Technique to work on your tasks, and practice some Body Scanning mindfulness techniques to calm yourself down. Afterward, you were able to finish the presentation and your schoolwork and got your friend a very nice present.
Conclusion
During the iterative Discover, Define, and Deliver phases of the ‘Double Diamond’ the product went through research, design, and testing that changed the initial MVP into a product that is more aligned with the User needs and Wants, and a design that is really for a hand-off to development.
What would be next for Unstucked? More Usability Testing and design improvements.
Learn more about the UX process of Unstucked here:
