Role
Creating, designing and iterating an order tracking app from concept to the end.
- Conduct Foundational Research
- Create Personas, User Story, User Journey Map
- Build Problem Statement
- Conduct Competitive Audit
- Storyboarding (Big Picture and Close-Up
- Creating Wireframes (Paper, Digital)
- Create Mockups
- Prototyping (lo-fi, hi-fi)
- Conduct UX Research
- Create Affinity Diagram
- Present Research Results
- Iterate
Project goal
Design an order tracking app to help users track online orders easily.
Target audience
Business owners/managers and also individuals with a busy schedule, who place online orders regularly.
Challenges
a) To design an app which is straightforward to use.
b) Make use of simple language and popular cues to help users navigate confidently.
c) To make the app screen reader friendly.
d) To make the app as accessible as possible.
Research conducted (1st)
Foundational research (interviews)
This research helped in understanding the user pain points that different users faced while using an order tracking app.
Insights that were revealed:
a) A simple to use order tracking app.
b) A simple user interface to interact with.
c) A method to listen to the interface texts instead of reading through.
d) A straightforward method to put hold on parcels.
Design strategy
| Insights | Corresponding design strategy |
|---|---|
| a) A simple to use order tracking app. | a) Focus was to implement the most essential user flow, which in this case was checking order status. |
| b) A simple user interface to interact with. | b) Focus was to use simple language, straightforward navigation cues and an uncluttered look and feel. |
| c) A method to listen to the interface texts instead of reading through. | c) Focus on opportunities to make the app, screen reader friendly. Focus was to use alt text if there were images and add text to describe icons. |
| d) A straightforward method to put hold on parcels. | d) Focus was to design a straightforward method to place hold on parcels. |
Research conducted (2nd)
Usability study using lo-fi prototype (moderated)
This study was helpful in understanding whether the app was usable and whether the participants were able to complete core tasks within the app.
Study results
Affinity diagram helped in identifying themes. Themes helped to zero on insights.
Insights from the usability study were:
a) There was a need to have a page displaying the hold and release dates before confirmation.
b) Unable to revise hold or release dates after confirmation.
c) Confused with landing on calendar page again after confirmation.
d) Confused with the use of two calendars for placing a hold.
Iterations after usability study (before and after image)
a) Has one calendar (for choosing hold date)
b) Has a page displaying the hold date before confirmation
c) Has an option to revise date (text above calendar was changed)
d) Landing on calendar page after confirmation helps user to revise date if needed.
Research conducted (3rd)
Usability study using hi-fi prototype (moderated)
This study was helpful in understanding the usability of the app and whether it addressed the pain points the users had already faced. Also, it helped to uncover if there were new pain points to work on.
Study results
Affinity diagram helped in identifying themes. Then themes helped to zero on insights.
Insights from the usability study were:
a) Unable to place entire order on hold. (individual parcels could only be put on hold.)
b) A way to land on the “tracking info page” from the notification page.
c) A need for the notification page to state that an email was sent to the user after successful completion of a task.
d) Unable to revise hold dates for an entire order collectively.
Iterations after second usability study (before and after images)
Order Tracking App EZTrackn
Keeping the user front and center, the latest version of the app focuses on these user flows.
a) Tracking a parcel.
b) Placing a single parcel or an entire order on hold.
c) Revising the hold date of a single parcel, or of an entire order.
While these may be the functionalities, every part of the app also has been designed keeping accessibility in mind.
a) Every icon has an associated text.
b) Searching can also be done by saying out loud.
c) Images also are associated with text.
d) Simple language has been used. Symbols were replaced with text wherever possible.
e) Light and dark mode for users to choose from. (currently not active)
Please check slide deck for details of the project.
Slide Deck
OrderTrackingApp_Project1_CaseStudySlideDeckTakeaways
Designing the order tracking app from scratch to its current state was an exceptional learning experience. As a designer, I initially had a certain perception about the design strategy. However, what I discovered was that the user interviews and usability studies were the best ways to see a design moving forward. Once during the design process, I kept focusing only on the close-up ( placing hold on individual parcels ) and missed the big picture altogether ( placing hold on an entire order ). The second usability study revealed this information and I was surprised to miss such a vital point.
I also discovered how biases could hinder a design process and how accessibility should always be kept in mind while designing. Lastly, I am thankful for feedback from my peers because it also helped in determining the look and feel of the app. Having different perspectives helped immensely with the design and hence better the UX of the order tracking app EZTrackn.
As for the next steps, focus will be given to Priority 1 insights, revealed after the second usability study. It would include displaying contents of the parcel/parcels and a page to show the order history.