OrganizApp
About
This project was developed as a proposal for a national programming competition. Continue scrolling to know more about it! 🔍
UX/UI design | Programming
Programathon 2020
Copyright © All rights reserved
Roles
UX | UI design
Monserrath Abarca Weber
Implementation
Bryan Abarca Weber
Raúl Arias Quesada
Ronny Paniagua Chacón
About the competition
This competition occurred in 2020 when the country was still affected by the aftermath of the global health emergency caused by Covid-19.
The objective revolved around creating a technological solution that would help in aspects such as: boosting economic growth, reactivating commercial activities, improving internal processes, optimizing resources. Or any other activity with social, environmental, educational or health impact.
The three phases
1. Proposal 💡
In the first stage, we had to deliver the proposal for the competition. To do this, we conducted a brainstorming, where each member suggested ideas. Once the team chose the project to develop, we applied some surveys with potential users to understand the problem in depth.
3. Develop 💻
In this stage, we used Figma for the interface design, and the implementation was done with the following tools: Web API-Python, Django, Swagger; Database - MySQL; Mobile application - Android Studio.
At this point, the organizers also decided to extend the period of time to design and implement the final product to 9 days.
2. Define📏
In the second stage, we were asked to define the user requirements and delimit the scope of the proposal. Taking into account that, originally, the time to develop and implement the project was only 30 hours.
For this phase, we defined the existing problem, the need, the value of the proposal and the expected benefits. In addition, we created the user personas and specified, at a technological level, how the product would work. On the other hand, by means of use cases, we defined the user's interaction with the tool, when performing different tasks.
The design process
Definition of the problem
"For many entrepreneurs, the manual process of order management is difficult and exhausting."
Definition of the need
A tool that automates order management, in order to speed up the registration and consultation of orders.
Most small businesses do not have a shopping website or an app. Alternatively, advertising and catalogues are presented through social networks. Consequently, orders are received primarily through messaging apps such as Whatsapp, Messenger and Instagram.
Following up on the sales process in this way makes order management more difficult for entrepreneurs since they are forced to handle each request manually. Therefore, as the number of customers increases, the more complicated it will be to complete the demands efficiently.
Also, the manual method of taking orders implies that the entrepreneur must always: be aware of the entry of messages on social networks, manually organize customer data and order specifications, and also keep the inventory in a tool such as Excel or a notebook.
Expected benefits
- Automation of orders.
- Immediate response to the client.
- Organized order management.
- Facilitates the accounting process at the end of a period.
Crafting the Personas
Using a service blueprint, we analyzed the purchase service that most entrepreneurs offer through social networks. With this, we corroborated that a large part of the process is done manually and through messaging.
In addition, during the steps framed in the dotted rectangle (see image below), we noticed that the customer must wait for a response from the entrepreneur. This can cause the customer to lose interest or the entrepreneur to be overwhelmed by a large number of requests.
Through the service blueprint, we determined that to improve the service, the customer's purchasing process needed to continue in the same way. In other words, not forcing the customer to acquire a new mobile application.
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Service blueprint of the purchase process by messaging.
Then, we identified three types of personas. First, the main user of the tool would be the entrepreneur. Likewise, we propose the existence of a regulatory body, the administrator, which would be managing the operation of the application and the use that companies make of the product. Finally, we describe an indirect user, but essential in the purchasing process, the customer.
Description of user prototypes: personas.
How does the app works?
At this point, we decided to focus on the design for the Android system and the optimization of orders via Whatsapp.
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App functionalities context diagram.
Use cases
Then, through use cases, we detail the functional requirements of the product. This method provided a clearer scenario about the characteristics that the system had to fulfil.
Use case number twelve: register a product.
The app provides the following services for "the entrepreneurs":
A chatbot: The system can take orders from customers automatically via WhatsApp messages.
Product management: Entrepreneurs must register in the system the products they have for sale and assign a code to each product. Since customers will order the products through the chatbot using this code. It has to be visible in the catalogue provided to customers. Entrepreneurs will be able to keep an inventory of products in the app.
Order management: The orders registered in the database are shown to the entrepreneur in the app. Entrepreneurs can see the details of an order, which contains: the ordered products, the quantity and an optional remark from the customer.
The orders have 6 possible statuses:
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Pending: when the order is in the inbox.
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In process: the entrepreneur is preparing the customer's order.
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Ready to ship: the order is ready but has not yet been shipped to the customer.
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Shipped: the order has been sent to the customer.
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Completed: the order has already been delivered to the customer.
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Cancelled: the order has been terminated by the entrepreneur or by the customer.
The results
Welcome to OrganizApp
Your app for order management!
Welcome screen mockup.
OrganizApp makes your order management much easier. This is achieved by improving the process of receiving orders and automatically storing them in a database.
Likewise, through a chatbot, it speeds up communication with the customer by providing immediate responses. Additionally, the system connects directly with Whatsapp, so it is not necessary for customers to download the app.
Let's see some screenshots of the app prototype!
The first screen of the user's guide.
Entrepreneur profile screen.
Main menu screen.
Order details
Products list
Product details
What did I learn?
This challenge was a great experience that taught me to be more aware of the problems in my community and look for ways I can help as a professional.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to work remotely. Therefore, we took advantage of the technological tools available to properly organise every task and maintain constant communication within the team. As a result, it reinforced my skills to manage this type of environment.
I believe that our main challenge was choosing the problem to solve. Because we decided to focus on amending a difficulty that we consider could be solved using a mobile application. And, it would not just become another icon on the screen that steals space in the cell phone's memory without being genuinely functional.
We understand that there is still room for improvement on the proposed design, however, this event allowed us to grow as professionals in both technical and soft skills, so we are truly proud to present it.
If you are interested in this project do not hesitate to contact us!