Week 8 - Ideation Part C (16-23\12)

Context of use, indirect stakeholders, possible value tensions, relevant metaphor, 4 step flow and prepare for a speed mentoring pitch.

The week opened with a positive feeling, after an in-depth study of models of companies in the market, we felt that we are at a good point in the process. In addition, there were many tasks, which required us as a group to have many discussions while conducting brainstorming that helped us reach the desired result.

"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself" (Henry Ford)

In our first group meeting, we had to think about the context of our technology. Therefore, we relied on the persona we presented in the previous weeks, and we concluded that the use of the app itself takes place at a variable and dynamic time, depending on the user's free time, and after conducting a search and finding several optional apartments for rent. However, at this point, he feels helpless because he is unable to obtain in-depth information about the apartment.

After that, we had to Indirect stakeholders and their relevance to our problem. Stakeholders discussed include property owners, real estate agents, realtors, architects, municipal employees, renovators, lawyers, etc.

In our second meeting during the current week, we discussed possible value tensions 3 values tensions that are expected to occur in our app and how we think to resolve them.

Also, we were looking for a metaphor / mental model (from the physical world) that would help us imagine our product. Therefore, at this point in the process, when we imagine our application, it is still difficult to see how we combine all the above information into an experiential, simple, and intuitive user experience for the user. However, if we have to think of a metaphor from the physical world, the first example that comes to mind is IKEA.

IKEA is unique among its competitors due to the shopping experience in it. From the moment its customers enter the store, IKEA takes them through a pre-guided route and actually takes command of the navigation and shows them the direction, through the variety of options it has to offer. Therefore, the great similarity between IKEA stores and our product is the variety we have to offer the user, and the main goal we put before our eyes is to create the same unique experience that draws users and creates an acceptance to the digital and interactive world, in our app.

Then, we met for another session in which for the first time we focused in-depth on the question of how the descriptive things we have discussed so far will be practically realized of the solution and how it will actually take place in the app. To accomplish the task we used the 4 steps flow, this allows us to focus on the 4 main actions that our user actually does in the app itself, what the system will do behind the scenes following the action, and eventually what feedback the user will.

To be honest at this point, we got a sense of shock, because the immediate transition between theory and practice may be much immediate. However, throughout the process, our growing desire to reach the solution stage has been strong, and therefore, we feel good and full of excitement for what is to come.

Before

After

To sum up the week, we prepare a 1-2 minute pitch for the speed mentoring session that will take place next week. The pitch including the need, our user, and our solution. Also, we think of open questions to the mentors in order to learn and get the most out of their experience.