ABOUT
Our client was an international non-for-profit organization that helps humanitarian and development organizations, to provide high-quality targeted assistance to the world’s most vulnerable populations
DIMS - Digital Information Management System, a project of an international non-profit organization to connect civil society organizations in the Lake Chad Basin with each other and with external partners.
DIMS - Digital Information Management System, a project of an international non-profit organization to connect civil society organizations in the Lake Chad Basin with each other and with external partners.
MY ROLE
Lead Product Designer, collaborating closely with Junior Product Researcher, Product Manager, and Stakeholders
TIMELINE
2 months
MAIN GOALS
& PROCESS
Our challenge was to create a DIMS prototype based on the field research already collected and test it with potential users located in the Lake Chad Basin.
We received a specific brief and a field research report from the NGO. For full compliance, we arranged recurring meetings with their team, and during the first conversation we proposed a roadmap that boiled down the received brief to UX best practices.
personas & customer
journeys
journeys
Using the research provided, we created three prot-personas and their customer paths. After several meetings with stakeholders, we developed fictional characters representing typical users of the future product and their comprehensive journey of interacting with the future management system.
site map & low-fi wireframes
Next, we prototyped the product. Sketching out a site map was the first step, followed by drawing low-fidelity wireframes of all user interactions with the system. Rather than getting into too much detail, I used Miro and consulted the prototype on the fly with stakeholders.
design system
Once a basic product prototype was agreed upon, I used Figma to produce a high-fidelity experience. I started by creating a design system that I used the current material design system, expanding it as needed, and styling it by the company branding.
clickable hi-fi prototype
Using components from the design system, I composed a full user path of the product in high fidelity. After a few feedback loops with stakeholders, it was ready to test.
usability testing
We conducted a remote usability testing of the prototype with a group of users from the Lake Chad Basin. Unfortunately, one of the constraints was that the testing had to take place as a group rather than individually. Therefore, we divided the meeting into three parts: a joint introduction, an individual testing using maze software, and a group discussion at the end.
The tests yielded a lot of useful feedback related to the prototype-designed product, but in addition, we recognized that a digital management system may not be the right solution to the problems faced by the people of the Chad River Basin. Due to the low level of digitization and internet access, the digital system is probably too disconnected from their needs.
We presented the test results and our general observations to the customers. They were receptive to our insights, although they decided to proceed with the developed solution. However, they admitted that in the future they would consider inviting designers at a much earlier stage of the project, giving them the opportunity to develop a more user-centered solution.
The tests yielded a lot of useful feedback related to the prototype-designed product, but in addition, we recognized that a digital management system may not be the right solution to the problems faced by the people of the Chad River Basin. Due to the low level of digitization and internet access, the digital system is probably too disconnected from their needs.
We presented the test results and our general observations to the customers. They were receptive to our insights, although they decided to proceed with the developed solution. However, they admitted that in the future they would consider inviting designers at a much earlier stage of the project, giving them the opportunity to develop a more user-centered solution.
retrospective & takeaways
Once the project was finished, I planned a retrospective workshop for my group. Since it was our first time working with an NGO, we believed it was necessary. Although the customer was happy with the outcome, we weren't nearly as happy with it.
Our primary finding was that solutions for challenging locations, where equipment and network access are challenging, should be created in close collaboration with the end users. Because we didn't collaborate with the end users during the project, we were forced to base our solution on the experts' perception of their needs rather than the end users' real demands.
Our primary finding was that solutions for challenging locations, where equipment and network access are challenging, should be created in close collaboration with the end users. Because we didn't collaborate with the end users during the project, we were forced to base our solution on the experts' perception of their needs rather than the end users' real demands.
