Case Study – Task Panther

Problem Statement

In today’s fast-paced world, individuals and professionals alike face the challenge of managing multiple tasks efficiently. Whether it’s personal errands or professional assignments, keeping track of various tasks and deadlines can become overwhelming. Traditional methods like pen and paper or basic digital notes often prove insufficient to handle the complexity and dynamic nature of modern life. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a task management solution that caters to the diverse needs of individuals and professionals, offering seamless organization, prioritization, and tracking of tasks across different aspects of their lives.

Possible Solutions

To enhance productivity and organization in users’ personal and professional lives, I have developed a digital solution that assists users in managing their tasks effectively. My primary objective is to create a user-friendly task management application called Task Panther [6][7] that helps users organize and prioritize their daily activities.

The potential solution for the Task Panther application includes a range of features designed to enhance task management and user experience. The application will display tasks as a list of checkboxes, with completed tasks indicated by a strikethrough or some visual clue. Users will be able to edit or delete tasks as needed, as well as clear all tasks at once or search for specific tasks using a search bar. Furthermore, users will have the ability to change the order of tasks by moving them up or down on the list and adding new tasks through audio input, providing flexibility and convenience in task management. Additionally, it will allow users to log in using their Google or Facebook accounts.

Design Process

For the case study, I followed the ‘Design Thinking’ principles, which comprise five stages, and carried out specific activities to achieve specific goals.

Empathize: In this stage, the focus was on understanding the needs, pain points, and motivations of the end-users. The activities in this stage included:

1. Conducting User Research

2. Interviewing with users

Define: Based on the insights gained from the previous stage, this stage’s goal was to define the problem or challenge clearly. The activities in this stage included:

1. Articulating user needs, insights, and pain points

2. Creating Personas

Ideate: This stage was about generating creative solutions to the defined problem. The focus was on generating as many ideas as possible and selecting the most suitable ones for further development.

1. Creating prototype

Prototype: This stage involved developing tangible representations of the selected ideas. The primary goal was to test the ideas and gather feedback to improve the solutions. The activity in this stage included:

1. Building Wireframes

Test: In this stage, the emphasis was gathering user feedback on the prototypes developed in the previous stage. The goal was to refine and improve the solutions based on the feedback received. The activities in this stage included:

1. Conducting usability Testing

2. Iterating on the design and making necessary adjustments

User Research

Three users were interviewed using the following questionnaire [1] to learn how they organize their daily tasks and understand how they feel.

1. Can you describe a typical day in your professional life?

2. What are the main tasks you need to accomplish daily?

3. What are the biggest challenges you encounter while managing your workload?

4. Can you walk me through any specific instances where you felt overwhelmed or frustrated with your tasks?

5. How do you prioritize your tasks and manage your time effectively?

6. Are there any time-consuming activities or processes that you find particularly burdensome?

7. How do you communicate and collaborate with colleagues or clients?

8. Have you experienced any difficulties in coordinating with team members or stakeholders?

9. What tools or technologies do you currently use to streamline your work?

10. Are any gaps or limitations in your current tools hinder your productivity?

11. How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance amidst your busy schedule?

12. Are there any aspects of your work life that could be improved to alleviate stress?

13. What improvements or features would make your work life easier and more efficient?

14. Where do you see opportunities for innovation or enhancement in your professional workflow?

Following are the key quotes describing participants’ needs.Participant 1Participant 2Participant 3“I get very less time for tasks that needs my personal attention or contribution.”

“I use sticky notes and OneNote…”

“I wish there was a voice recorder…”“I want it to be simple to use.”

“Prefer to use Google Keep.”“Need an app which should work on my iPhone and browser.”

“Should be able to login with Google account.”

User Persona

Based on the interviews and analysis of the users’ behaviors, needs, and goals following personas [2] were created:

Busy Professional

Name: Sarah Johnson

Demographics: Sarah is a 32-year-old female living in a busy urban area. She has a Master’s degree in Marketing and works as a marketing manager for a tech company.

Goals and Objectives: Sarah’s primary goal is to manage her work and personal tasks effectively in a busy environment. She wants to be able to prioritize tasks and stay on top of deadlines to maintain a work-life balance.

Pain Points: Sarah often feels overwhelmed with her workload and struggles to manage her tasks effectively. She finds it challenging to prioritize tasks and often ends up missing deadlines, leading to stress and anxiety.

Motivations: Sarah is motivated to use a to-do app that can help her stay organized, prioritize tasks, and achieve a sense of accomplishment. She wants to feel in control of her tasks and reduce her stress levels.

Behaviors: Sarah interacts with the to-do app frequently throughout the day, accessing it on her laptop and mobile phone. She uses the app’s features to categorize tasks by project, set reminders, and track her progress. She finds the app’s notification feature helpful in keeping her on track with her tasks.

Preferences: Sarah prefers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. She values a to-do app that integrates well with her existing tools, such as her calendar and email. She is willing to pay for a premium version of the app if it offers additional features such as team collaboration and data analysis.

Influences: Sarah is influenced by online reviews and recommendations from her colleagues and friends. She values a to-do app with a good security and privacy reputation. She is also influenced by the app’s customer service and responsiveness to user feedback.

Student

Name: Alex Rodriguez

Demographics: Alex is a 20-year-old male pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He lives on campus in a college town.

Goals and Objectives: Alex’s primary goal is to stay organized and manage his coursework effectively. He wants to stay on top of his assignments, deadlines, and project timelines to maintain a good GPA.

Pain Points: Alex often struggles to manage his time effectively and prioritize his tasks. He finds it challenging to keep track of all his assignments, readings, and projects. He also experiences anxiety related to upcoming exams and deadlines.

Motivations: Alex is motivated to use a to-do app that can help him stay organized, focused, and productive. He wants to feel in control of his coursework and reduce his stress levels.

Behaviors: Alex interacts with the to-do app frequently throughout the day, accessing it on his laptop and mobile phone. He uses the app’s features to categorize tasks by class, set reminders, and track his progress. He finds the app’s notification feature helpful in keeping him on track with his tasks.

Preferences: Alex prefers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. He values a to-do app that integrates well with his existing tools, such as his calendar and email. He is willing to pay for a premium version of the app if it offers additional features such as team collaboration and data analysis. Alex also prefers a to-do app that offers a gamified experience, where he can earn rewards or points for completing tasks.

Influences: Alex is influenced by online reviews and recommendations from his classmates and professors. He values a to-do app with a good reputation for reliability and efficiency. He is also influenced by the app’s customer service and responsiveness to user feedback.

Prototype Evolution

As part of prototyping, two different versions of the application were created using Microsoft’s GitHub Co-pilot. The mockup was designed using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS and is currently hosted on W3Schools. Prototype usability testing [3] was conducted with the two participants.

Task Panther 1.0

https://afshannaaz-todo-app.w3spaces.com/todo.html

Task Panther 2.0

https://afshannaaz-todo-app.w3spaces.com/todo2.html

Wireframes

The wireframes were created using Figma [4] and an AI-based Wireframe Designer [5] plugin.

Reflection

As a student in the User Experience Research class, I have realized that UX Research is both an art and a science. It requires a balance of empathy and rigor, creativity, and analytics. The journey of creating this Task Panther app has been both challenging and rewarding. As someone relatively new to graphic design tools, understanding and using these tools required a significant investment of time and effort. Navigating through its features, understanding the principles of UI/UX design, and trying to translate conceptual ideas into visual representations posed a steep learning curve. This is where the online tutorials and resources helped me sail through this journey smoothly.

Being a student of Composition and Rhetoric, the process of framing questions for interviews and surveys provided a unique opportunity to apply rhetorical principles in a practical context while also fostering a deeper understanding of communication dynamics. Drawing upon rhetorical strategies such as ethos, pathos, and logos, I learned to craft questions that not only elicited relevant data but also engaged participants on an emotional and intellectual level. This experience deepened my understanding of how language and rhetoric can influence attitudes and behaviors. In hindsight, while the process was not without its difficulties, the journey of creating this app has been invaluable in terms of personal growth and skill development.

Citation

[1] Naaz Afshan, March 2024, Week 8 – UX Research Interview, https://sites.gsu.edu/anaaz1/2024/03/01/week-8-interview/

[2] Naaz Afshan, Feb 2024, Week 7 – Personas, https://sites.gsu.edu/anaaz1/2024/02/23/week-7-personas/

[3] Naaz Afshan, Feb 2024, Week 5 – Usability Testing, https://sites.gsu.edu/anaaz1/2024/02/10/week-5-usability-testing/

[4] Figma, https://figma.com

[5] Figma Plugin – Wireframe Designer, https://www.figma.com/community/plugin/1228969298040149016/wireframe-designer

[6] Figma Plugin – MockRocket – 3D Mockups, https://mockrocket.io/

[7] Microsoft, “Microsoft Copilot Prompt: Create a logo for the Todo application called Task Panther.”, https://copilot.microsoft.com/

Book Review

UX Fundamentals for Non-UX Professionals: User Experience

Principles for Managers, Writers, Designers, and Developers

by Edward Stull

Are you wondering how to master the fundamentals of UX with confidence? Get Edward Stull’s book, which provides real-world examples. Published by Apress in 2018, this 363-page book is a prized resource for acquiring the skills to participate intelligently in discussions about UX design and research.

The author, Edward Stull, is a skilled designer and researcher who specializes in assisting teams to overcome user experience (UX) challenges, ranging from product design to digital marketing. With over 20 years of experience, he has worked with various international brands, national banks, and state healthcare exchanges. Edward is deeply interested in how people perceive, use, and promote UX.

The book is divided into four parts and provides a structured outline of the chapters and the topics covered in each chapter. Readers can easily locate a particular chapter or the

subtopic included in the chapter. Part I introduces the fundamental concepts of UX, with clear and concise explanations of UX terms and research. It equips readers with the necessary skills to confidently design user-friendly projects. It briefs the readers about the significance of UX design and research.

Part II deals with ‘Being Human.’ Stull deals with human perception and attention, information retention, rationalization, equality, and narration. This is vital for readers to understand their audience better. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the audience’s needs before starting a project. In this part, he mentions that UX is a powerful persuasive rhetoric. This section on perception, rationalization, accessibility, and storytelling is essential for technical communicators who want to create content that truly connects with their intended audience.

The book explains the fundamentals of UX, followed by chapters on human behavior, persuasion, and process, culminating in a comprehensive understanding of UX and its relevance to our lives. Edward Stull argues that when UX is intentionally designed, it leads to better user experiences and greater productivity. Personally, I loved the second part about understanding the world in a human way! It provided me with a comprehensive and engaging insight into the process. It briefs the readers about the significance of UX design and research.

The author has used relatable real-world stories and analogies that make the crucial points easy to grasp. The book highlights the importance of prioritizing the user’s requirements, identifying potential clashes between business objectives and user choices, and comprehending how mental aspects such as perception and attention can significantly influence the achievement or lack of success of a product.

In this book, Stull asserts the pivotal role of user research and empathizing with users to make informed design decisions. He provides readers with pragmatic and practical techniques to conduct user interviews, create personas, and prototype solutions, empowering them with the confidence to apply UX principles in their respective domains and deliver exceptional user experiences.

This book is essential for mastering the fundamentals of UX. It empowers the reader with the skills required to actively engage in discussions about UX design and research while also providing a deep understanding of how UX affects all aspects of the business. With this book at your disposal, you will be well-equipped to make informed decisions and take charge of your UX journey.

The storytelling skill employed by Stull makes the content accessible and less intimidating. The use of real-world examples will surely bring a smile to your face. It is an excellent way to introduce anyone to the exciting world of UX. The clear, entertaining, and engaging writing style is devoid of technical jargon, thus making the book comprehensible to readers even without their expertise in UX.

What truly sets this book apart is that it is suitable for a diverse audience. Whether you are in business or marketing or a computer science student wanting to gain a deep understanding of UX, this book is a perfect guide. This book is essential for anyone interested in UX, particularly beginners. It covers a comprehensive introduction, diverse topics, and practical suggestions.

This book is a must-read for a person like me who has limited knowledge of UX design and research. It is an ideal resource for beginners as it covers fundamental UX concepts at a surface level. Get your copy today and get ready to improve your understanding of UX. With its engaging style and compelling content, this book is a game-changer.

Week 8 – UX Research Interview

Approach

Continuing my journey to explore the features needed to make the Todo App effective, I delved into another important stage of interviewing a user to understand their needs as part of the UX Research. This was the first time I conducted a UX Research interview. And I must say I enjoyed it!! Being on the other side of the table allowed me to understand the user’s needs, preferences, and pain points.

Preparation

I conducted a research interview with Mariam Shahbaz, a Sr. Manager at Fidelity Investments. Mariam is a busy professional and a mother of two, making her a perfect fit for my project. I wanted to find out how she prioritizes her chores and if she uses technology to stay organized. I prepared a list of questions and interviewed her over the phone, introducing myself and asking for her consent to record the conversation. I assured her that the questions were solely for research purposes.

As part of the preparation, I had the consent script and the questions to conduct the interview prepared in advance and were used as guidelines for the conversation.

Consent

1. I’m conducting research to better understand the challenges faced by busy professionals like yourself in order to improve the design of productivity tools. Your insights will help us create solutions that better meet your needs.

2. During the interview, I’ll be asking you some questions about your work habits, challenges, and preferences. The session will last approximately 20 minutes.

3. Your responses will be kept confidential, and no personally identifiable information will be shared. Your insights will only be used for research purposes.

4. Your participation in this research is entirely voluntary. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or wish to stop the interview, please let me know.”

5. Do you consent to participate in this research study, understanding that your responses will be used for research purposes only?

6. Do you have any questions about the research study or what participation involves before we begin?

Questionnaire

1. Can you describe a typical day in your professional life?

2. What are the main tasks you need to accomplish daily?

3. What are the biggest challenges you encounter while managing your workload?

4. Can you walk me through any specific instances where you felt overwhelmed or frustrated with your tasks?

5. How do you prioritize your tasks and manage your time effectively?

6. Are there any time-consuming activities or processes that you find particularly burdensome?

7. How do you communicate and collaborate with colleagues or clients?

8. Have you experienced any difficulties in coordinating with team members or stakeholders?

9. What tools or technologies do you currently use to streamline your work?

10. Are any gaps or limitations in your current tools hinder your productivity?

11. How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance amidst your busy schedule?

12. Are there any aspects of your work life that could be improved to alleviate stress?

13. What improvements or features would make your work life easier and more efficient?

14. Where do you see opportunities for innovation or enhancement in your professional workflow?

UX Research Interview

The interview lasted approximately 10 minutes, with Mariam very forthcoming in answering most of the questions. The transcript [1] of the discussion can be found below with key points highlighted:https://sites.gsu.edu/anaaz1/files/2024/03/UserResearch-Mariam-Shahbaz-4239ce950aef500f.mp3

Afshan Naaz 00:02 Good evening, Mariam. Good evening. Thank you for taking the time and, you know, being a part of this user experience. And the research that I’m conducting well to introduce I mean, you know, I’m Shawn, and I’m conducting this research to better understand the challenges faced by busy professionals like you. I’m doing this research in order to improve the design of the productivity tools. So, Mariam, basically, your insights will help us create solutions that better meet your needs. So during the interview, I’ll be asking you some questions about your work habits, challenges and preferences. This session will last approximately 10 to 15 minutes, and rest assured Meriam Your responses will be kept confidential and no personally identifiable information will be shared. Your insights will only be used for research purposes. Your participation in this research is entirely voluntary. If at any point of time you feel uncomfortable or wish to stop the interview, please do let me know Meriam. Now do you consent to participate in this research study? Understanding that Your responses will be used for research purposes only? Yes, thank you, Maria, for your consent. Also, Mariam. Just wanted to let you know that I would be recording this. I do I have your consent for this. Yes. Thank you, Maria. Maria. And before we start, do you have any questions about the research study or what participation involves before we go ahead?

Mariam Shahbaz 01:56 Not really.

Afshan Naaz 01:57 Thank you, Mariam. Mariam, can you just describe about yourself give? Can you just give us an overview about your life and what do you do?

Mariam Shahbaz 02:09 So I’m a chapter leader and a financial firm. My morning starts with a team huddle. I lead to team so I get to meet my teams in the early morning hours. Rest of the day goes into project related meetings, Scrum events, one on one with my team members. I get very less time for tasks that needs my personal attention or contribution.

Afshan Naaz 02:34 Okay, Mariam. So what are the main tasks that you need to accomplish? Daily?

Mariam Shahbaz 02:43 Depends. Some tasks are pretty common throughout the weekdays, like meeting with the team and having a one on one interaction with the team members. chama totally dedicated to project related technical, prioritisation, prioritisation and other stuff. So that’s, that’s how my, you know, the entire work week goes. It’s less of less of individual contribution and more of collaboration. So, work week is spent more in meetings.

Afshan Naaz 03:19 Okay, Mariam. So what are your biggest challenges like you encounter while managing your workload, as you said, you have a lot of workload, so how you manage your professional as well as your personal life.

Mariam Shahbaz 03:35 Since most of my days goes in meeting, I just do not get enough time to prepare. And there’s, you know, I don’t get time to think outside the box, bring in new ideas. So a minute until I jot down everything for which I don’t get enough time. Oh,

Afshan Naaz 03:56 is it? Okay. All right, so how do you prioritize your tasks? And how do you manage your time effectively?

Mariam Shahbaz 04:07 I prioritize my tasks based on how important the ask is and how urgent it is. And if it’s both important and urgent, it gets my attention right away. If it’s either not important or not urgent, then it takes the second you know, preference and then and then the rest remains at the bottom. So I also try to, you know, timebox the task so that I can deliver the quality work while remaining focused. All

Afshan Naaz 04:43 right, all right. So I’m very sure with your busy professional life like it, it wouldn’t be difficult for you to manage at the personal level as well and prioritise things there as well, isn’t it? Yes, yes. So like it is Definitely, how do you manage? Or how do you list out your, your chores for your personal life as well? So do you maintain anything? Do you just scribble it somewhere?

Mariam Shahbaz 05:13 Yeah, so not that much for personal life or unless and until I have an event, upcoming event. So for that I, I use my computer. And again, the tools that I use is very common, be it professional or for personal use. I use sticky notes and OneNote a lot sticky notes for you know, just for an instant task that I need to add or something that I need to remember. And then I try to merge everything into one note, either end of day or, you know, end of week.

Afshan Naaz 05:56 Okay, so now when you said you use one note, are there any gaps or limitations like, you know, in that current tool that hinders your productivity? Have you ever thought about it?

Mariam Shahbaz 06:07 Yeah. I do not enjoy writing a lot. Yeah, I prefer. I prefer face-to-face meetings in person. So. So I wish I wish there was a voice recorder or something that

Afshan Naaz 06:27 comes to my next question. Meriam. So like, somewhere, you said voice recorded somewhere like Siri, Alexa? That’s what you’re talking about?

Mariam Shahbaz 06:38 Yeah, so if my organization is fine with using Siri and Alexa, right, yes, sure.

Afshan Naaz 06:44 Okay, any other features? Suppose I mean, you know, have you ever I mean, you know, since now you said you wish you had something of this sort, and you you hate to write or type it out. So, any other additional features you might want to Vish, I mean, you know, would be there in this kind of a tool?

Mariam Shahbaz 07:04 Yeah, so often, you know, once we are done with the day or week or month, the TAs keep remaining on the notepad adding adding volume to the existing documentation, right. So wish, if I can push the old task, then again, it shouldn’t be like auto delete or something, I should be able to select which task I want to keep in the list for future use, and which I can, you know, select for deletion. Okay,

Afshan Naaz 07:39 so you want a tab that can delete the task when when you know, they it’s over and done with, isn’t it?

Mariam Shahbaz 07:47 Yeah, not all, because sometimes you you want to keep a list of task that you have done in past for future use,

Afshan Naaz 07:55 right? Yeah. Have you ever tried other other apps like Google, or Google Keep or anything else? No, I haven’t. No, you haven’t. Okay. So you have a grid only? One of the tools? Okay, okay. All right, Maria. Um, so apart from the the features of Voice Recording, or maybe like, you know, the ability to delete, is there anything else

Mariam Shahbaz 08:25 that I could think of at this moment?

Afshan Naaz 08:26 Okay, okay. And something that has worked for you or did not work while you are using the current tool, as of now?

Mariam Shahbaz 08:40 No, not really.

Afshan Naaz 08:43 Okay. All right. I can understand Meriam the frustration especially with busy professionals, and being a mom so I can understand like how you must be juggling between so many, and especially when you have so many roles to play and you know, so many hats to wear at the same time. Okay, so thank you so much for your insights, Mariam. And before we leave for him, do you have any questions for me?

Mariam Shahbaz 09:11 No questions, but good luck with your research. Thank

Afshan Naaz 09:13 you. Mariam, thank you so much for your time. You’re welcome.

Analysis

Based on the interview, for Mariam as a busy professional, the following goals, frustrations, and pains can be interpreted:

Goals

1. As a busy professional, Mariam wants to manage her workload effectively and prioritize her tasks based on importance and urgency.

2. She wants to deliver quality work while remaining focused and timeboxing her tasks.

3. In her personal life, Mariam wants to manage her chores effectively and merge them into one place.

Frustrations

1. Mariam feels she doesn’t have enough time to prepare for tasks or think outside the box due to the number of meetings she attends.

2. She doesn’t enjoy writing and wishes a voice recorder or something similar could help her with note-taking.

Pains

1. Mariam feels she doesn’t have enough time for tasks that require her attention or contribution.

2. She struggles to manage her workload effectively due to the number of collaborations and meetings she has to attend.

Key Quotes

In Mariam’s own words, she describes her needs

1. “I get very less time for tasks that needs my personal attention or contribution.”

2. “I use sticky notes and OneNote…”

3. “I wish there was a voice recorder…”

Reflection

As I said, it was my maiden attempt at interviewing, I goofed up on the first attempt. I started interviewing the participant without realizing I had not turned on the recording! Embarrassed at my lapse, I apologized to the participant and started the interview again – making sure to record it properly this time.

During the interview with a busy professional, I gained valuable insights into their unique challenges and requirements regarding managing tasks and staying organized in a fast-paced work environment.

I could empathize with Mariam as she balanced her priorities between personal and professional life. Empathy is crucial for designing user-centric solutions that effectively resonate with the target audience and address their underlying needs. Mariam raised a few thought-provoking suggestions, like the need for a responsive and user-friendly mobile interface that allows quick task entry using audio to make a list rather than typing it. She also emphasized that the feature of deleting the chores as you finish the task would help streamline her list.

These insights will guide the design and development of the Todo App, ensuring that it effectively addresses users’ challenges in managing their busy schedules and maximizing productivity.

Citation

[1] Interview transcribed by https://otter.ai