CollabCube
CollabCube
CollabCube
An accountability reinforcement system for college student group projects
An accountability reinforcement system for college student group projects
This project was recognized by Venture Capital MiraclePlus for its commercialization potential.
This project was recognized by Venture Capital MiraclePlus for its commercialization potential.
Timeline
3 Months
Role
Solo Designer
Tools
Context
Context
Context
🕹 Problem generation from real life
🕹 Problem generation from real life
🕹 Problem generation from real life
2 incomplete Hackathon projects + 1 unpleasant in-class teamwork experience...
2 incomplete Hackathon projects + 1 unpleasant in-class teamwork experience...
2 incomplete Hackathon projects + 1 unpleasant in-class teamwork experience...
College students find it difficult to keep team members accountable and motivated throughout the teamwork experience
College students find it difficult to keep team members accountable and motivated throughout the teamwork experience
College students find it difficult to keep team members accountable and motivated throughout the teamwork experience
that leads to the Initial Goal 🎯
that leads to the Initial Goal 🎯
that leads to the Initial Goal 🎯
How to make the teamwork experience efficient and enjoyable for everyone?
How to make the teamwork experience efficient and enjoyable for everyone?
How to make the teamwork experience efficient and enjoyable for everyone?
🔒 Going for specificity
🔒 Going for specificity
🔒 Going for specificity
What does the two vague words mean?
What does the two vague words mean?
What does the two vague words mean?
Empathize
Empathize
Empathize
🔎 Assumption-driven research
🔎 Assumption-driven research
🔎 Assumption-driven research
Assumption to be tested
Assumption to be tested
Assumption to be tested
reward🎁 or punishment🔨 system
reward🎁 or punishment🔨 system
reward🎁 or punishment🔨 system
?
?
People need
Proper Incentive Structure to
Externally Regulate their behaviors in group projects
People need
Proper Incentive Structure to
Externally Regulate their behaviors in group projects
People need
Proper Incentive Structure to
Externally Regulate their behaviors
in group projects
Research goals
Research goals
Research goals
Test if this assumption is correct;
See if this assumption is a cure-for-all solution;
If not, try to find replacements or supplementaries for it
Test if this assumption is correct;
See if this assumption is a cure-for-all solution;
If not, try to find replacements or supplementaries for it
Test if this assumption is correct;
See if this assumption is a cure-for-all solution;
If not, try to find replacements or supplementaries for it
Participants scope
Participants scope
Participants scope
College Students (18-22)
College Students (18-22)
College Students (18-22)
who has / is going to have teamwork experience
who has / is going to have teamwork experience
who has / is going to have teamwork experience
diversity in gender, age, nationality, school, major 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇰🇷 🇨🇳 🇬🇧 🇳🇪
diversity in gender, age, nationality, school, major 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇰🇷 🇨🇳 🇬🇧 🇳🇪
diversity in gender, age, nationality, school, major 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇰🇷 🇨🇳 🇬🇧 🇳🇪
Methodology
Methodology
Methodology
207
207
207
Survey responses
Survey responses
Survey responses
concentrate on the big patterns of recurring issues and user preferences regarding potential solutions
concentrate on the big patterns of recurring issues and user preferences regarding potential solutions
concentrate on the big patterns of recurring issues and user preferences regarding potential solutions
15
15
15
Interviews
Interviews
Interviews
delve into personal experiences in depth to gain a comprehensive understanding of the emotional journey and psychological factors involved
delve into personal experiences in depth to gain a comprehensive understanding of the emotional journey and psychological factors involved
delve into personal experiences in depth to gain a comprehensive understanding of the emotional journey and psychological factors involved
5
5
5
Competitors
Competitors
Competitors
Market gap:
none of the apps specifically target college students for group projects completion
Market gap:
none of the apps specifically target college students for group projects completion
Market gap:
none of the apps specifically target college students for group projects completion
Problem validation
Problem validation
Problem validation
Almost everyone have faced teamwork challenges,
with over 50% of the group not fully committed to projects.
Almost everyone have faced teamwork challenges,
with over 50% of the group not fully committed to projects.
Almost everyone have faced teamwork challenges,
with over 50% of the group not fully committed to projects.
🤔 Research challenge arises
🤔 Research challenge arises
🤔 Research challenge arises
How to identify the Root Cause of the group projects crisis?
How to identify the Root Cause of the group projects crisis?
How to identify the Root Cause of the group projects crisis?
Data dissection
Data dissection
Data dissection
Specific painpoints recapture
Specific painpoints recapture
Specific painpoints recapture
Lack of long-term external incentives
Lack of long-term external incentives
Lack of long-term external incentives
People have to rely on regulatory system or external force such as grade or peer review to maintain accountability throughout the project.
People have to rely on regulatory system or external force such as grade or peer review to maintain accountability throughout the project.
People have to rely on regulatory system or external force such as grade or peer review to maintain accountability throughout the project.
Disparities among teammates
Disparities among teammates
Disparities among teammates
People are frustrated when there are significant disparities in abilities, expectations, or project priorities.
People are frustrated when there are significant disparities in abilities, expectations, or project priorities.
People are frustrated when there are significant disparities in abilities, expectations, or project priorities.
Excitement about the project
Excitement about the project
Excitement about the project
People will end up in a project direction they are not excited about due to insufficient open communication.
People will end up in a project direction they are not excited about due to insufficient open communication.
People will end up in a project direction they are not excited about due to insufficient open communication.
Perceived levels of involvement
Perceived levels of involvement
Perceived levels of involvement
People fails to accurately evaluate their workloads and communicate their perceived levels of involvement with the team in advance.
People fails to accurately evaluate their workloads and communicate their perceived levels of involvement with the team in advance.
People fails to accurately evaluate their workloads and communicate their perceived levels of involvement with the team in advance.
Emotional support
Emotional support
Emotional support
People usually stop putting in efforts when they no longer feel the emotional support and involvement from teammates.
People usually stop putting in efforts when they no longer feel the emotional support and involvement from teammates.
People usually stop putting in efforts when they no longer feel the emotional support and involvement from teammates.
Distill down to insights
Distill down to insights
Distill down to insights
User journey map out
User journey map out
User journey map out
Drawing from the research findings and the collection of pain points, I developed five distinct archetypes and mapped out their excitement journey from a project’s beginning to end. Several critical crisis points are identified in the pattern, each of which could be seen as a pivotal breakthrough in finding solutions.
Drawing from the research findings and the collection of pain points, I developed five distinct archetypes and mapped out their excitement journey from a project’s beginning to end. Several critical crisis points are identified in the pattern, each of which could be seen as a pivotal breakthrough in finding solutions.
Drawing from the research findings and the collection of pain points, I developed five distinct archetypes and mapped out their excitement journey from a project’s beginning to end. Several critical crisis points are identified in the pattern, each of which could be seen as a pivotal breakthrough in finding solutions.
Persona
Persona
Persona
Combining the concerns and frustrations of those five college students, I crafted a fictional user whose experience encapsulate a comprehensive and representative collection of user pain points.
Combining the concerns and frustrations of those five college students, I crafted a fictional user whose experience encapsulate a comprehensive and representative collection of user pain points.
Combining the concerns and frustrations of those five college students, I crafted a fictional user whose experience encapsulate a comprehensive and representative collection of user pain points.
Synthesizing key insights
Synthesizing key insights
Synthesizing key insights
Going back to the assumption…
Going back to the assumption…
Going back to the assumption…
How to make the teamwork experience efficient and enjoyable for everyone?
How to make the teamwork experience efficient and enjoyable for everyone?
How to make the teamwork experience efficient and enjoyable for everyone?
Overall…
Overall…
Overall…
External + Internal Motivations
External + Internal Motivations
External + Internal Motivations
External motivation and regulation are necessary to hold people accountable and ensure project completion. However, the intrinsic drive of internal motivation makes individuals more willing to contribute, leading to a more enjoyable teamwork experience.
External motivation and regulation are necessary to hold people accountable and ensure project completion. However, the intrinsic drive of internal motivation makes individuals more willing to contribute, leading to a more enjoyable teamwork experience.
External motivation and regulation are necessary to hold people accountable and ensure project completion. However, the intrinsic drive of internal motivation makes individuals more willing to contribute, leading to a more enjoyable teamwork experience.
Pinpoint a starting point…
Pinpoint a starting point…
Pinpoint a starting point…
A Teammate Matching System
A Teammate Matching System
A Teammate Matching System
Connecting with skilled teammates can undoubtedly provide internal motivation, while a regulatory system that measures and showcases individuals' performance for future teammate matching acts as an external incentive.
Connecting with skilled teammates can undoubtedly provide internal motivation, while a regulatory system that measures and showcases individuals' performance for future teammate matching acts as an external incentive.
Connecting with skilled teammates can undoubtedly provide internal motivation, while a regulatory system that measures and showcases individuals' performance for future teammate matching acts as an external incentive.
01 Teammate Alignment
01 Teammate Alignment
Skill alignment
Skill alignment
Every member's skill set should align with the project's requirements and complement those of others.
Every member's skill set should align with the project's requirements and complement those of others.
Ability consistency
Ability consistency
People often prefer to work with someone who has a similar level of ability.
People often prefer to work with someone who has a similar level of ability.
Project priority congruence
Project priority congruence
Team members who share a similar project priority could reduce friction and the need for schedule adjustments later in the collaboration.
Team members who share a similar project priority could reduce friction and the need for schedule adjustments later in the collaboration.
02 Pre-communication
02 Pre-communication
Level of involvement
Level of involvement
People in the team would like to know each other’s estimated levels of involvement in the project.
People in the team would like to know each other’s estimated levels of involvement in the project.
Project expectations
Project expectations
Understanding each team member's expectations and what they hope to gain from the project is essential for navigating the project concept effectively.
Understanding each team member's expectations and what they hope to gain from the project is essential for navigating the project concept effectively.
Contributing to the project concept
Contributing to the project concept
Involving everyone in the project's inception can enhance their connection and commitment to the project.
Involving everyone in the project's inception can enhance their connection and commitment to the project.
03 Emotional Distance
03 Emotional Distance
Emotional connection
Emotional connection
A stronger emotional connection with teammates reduces the likelihood of individuals leaving the project due to the sense of “obligation” to fellow teammates.
A stronger emotional connection with teammates reduces the likelihood of individuals leaving the project due to the sense of “obligation” to fellow teammates.
Value of membership
Value of membership
People are more likely to justify their efforts by becoming more committed to the project if they had to put in some effort to gain membership in the group.
People are more likely to justify their efforts by becoming more committed to the project if they had to put in some effort to gain membership in the group.
04 Two-way selection
04 Two-way selection
Credibility check
Credibility check
Recognizing individuals' past accountabilities is consistently valuable criteria for both parties when selecting teammates.
Recognizing individuals' past accountabilities is consistently valuable criteria for both parties when selecting teammates.
Performance booster
Performance booster
Utilizing peer review and credibility as external regulating mechanisms motivates individuals to exhibit better behavior.
Utilizing peer review and credibility as external regulating mechanisms motivates individuals to exhibit better behavior.
Define
Define
Define
📌 Define problem statement
📌 Define problem statement
📌 Define problem statement
A lot of college students struggle with maintaining an efficient and enjoyable teamwork experience.
A lot of college students struggle with maintaining an efficient and enjoyable teamwork experience.
A lot of college students struggle with maintaining an efficient and enjoyable teamwork experience.
How might we leverage external and internal motivations to construct a teammate matching system that enhances college students' teamwork experience?
How might we leverage external and internal motivations to construct a teammate matching system that enhances college students' teamwork experience?
How might we leverage external and internal motivations to construct a teammate matching system that enhances college students' teamwork experience?
Design
Design
Design
💡 Applying Job To Be Done approach for ideation
💡 Applying Job To Be Done approach for ideation
💡 Applying Job To Be Done approach for ideation
What’s the Job that Needs To Be Done by hiring this product?
What’s the Job that Needs To Be Done by hiring this product?
What’s the Job that Needs To Be Done by hiring this product?
Ideating & prioritizing diagram
Ideating & prioritizing diagram
Through solution mapping, I decided to focus mostly on the features that are feasible and important.
Through solution mapping, I decided to focus mostly on the features that are feasible and important.
Through solution mapping, I decided to focus mostly on the features that are feasible and important.
Proposed user journey & user flow
Proposed user journey & user flow
💡 Design, testing, iterating
💡 Design, testing, iterating
💡 Design, testing, iterating
Hammer down the key screens
Hammer down the key screens
Hammer down the key screens
My wireframing process
My wireframing process
My wireframing process
Sketches
Sketches
Sketches
The product has gone through 3 iterations.
The product has gone through 3 iterations.
The product has gone through 3 iterations.
01 Flow logic
01 Flow logic
01 Flow logic
Developing a comprehensive user flow logic, making up missing screens for various scenarios.
Developing a comprehensive user flow logic, making up missing screens for various scenarios.
Developing a comprehensive user flow logic, making up missing screens for various scenarios.
02 Usability
02 Usability
02 Usability
Reducing the cognitive loads for users and improving the usability of the screens.
Reducing the cognitive loads for users and improving the usability of the screens.
Reducing the cognitive loads for users and improving the usability of the screens.
03 Usability & visuals
03 Usability & visuals
03 Usability & visuals
Ensuring the visual design aligns with the overarching objectives and target audience.
Ensuring the visual design aligns with the overarching objectives and target audience.
Ensuring the visual design aligns with the overarching objectives and target audience.
Improvements after iterations
Improvements after iterations
Improvements after iterations
Add Add empty states to minimize user loss at every stage
Add Add empty states to minimize user loss at every stage
Add Add empty states to minimize user loss at every stage
To enhance user retention, I implemented a recommendation system for potential matching teammates, aiming to encourage users to initiate the team-building process on their own.
To enhance user retention, I implemented a recommendation system for potential matching teammates, aiming to encourage users to initiate the team-building process on their own.
To enhance user retention, I implemented a recommendation system for potential matching teammates, aiming to encourage users to initiate the team-building process on their own.
Refine information hierarchy to ensure easier identification of crucial information
Refine information hierarchy to ensure easier identification of crucial information
Refine information hierarchy to ensure easier identification of crucial information
I relocate the information to the most prominent visual position and move secondary information back to the side column.
I relocate the information to the most prominent visual position and move secondary information back to the side column.
I relocate the information to the most prominent visual position and move secondary information back to the side column.
Reduce information cluttering and make efficient use of space
Reduce information cluttering and make efficient use of space
Reduce information cluttering and make efficient use of space
I slightly adjusted the sizes and colors of the elements and made secondary information collapsible.
I slightly adjusted the sizes and colors of the elements and made secondary information collapsible.
I slightly adjusted the sizes and colors of the elements and made secondary information collapsible.
Enhance the usability of the filter
Enhance the usability of the filter
Enhance the usability of the filter
I redesigned my filter to make it more informative and introduced various input methods.
I redesigned my filter to make it more informative and introduced various input methods.
I redesigned my filter to make it more informative and introduced various input methods.
Design system
Design system
Design system
Google Material Design
Google Material Design
Google Material Design
I employed Google's Material Design as the foundational design system, referencing the style guide and utilizing its components as the basis for my design. Nevertheless, I made specific adjustments to better align it with my design objectives.
I employed Google's Material Design as the foundational design system, referencing the style guide and utilizing its components as the basis for my design. Nevertheless, I made specific adjustments to better align it with my design objectives.
I employed Google's Material Design as the foundational design system, referencing the style guide and utilizing its components as the basis for my design. Nevertheless, I made specific adjustments to better align it with my design objectives.
Final products
Final products
Final products
Reflections
Reflections
Reflections
Key takeaway
Key takeaway
Key takeaway
Potential improvements
Potential improvements
Potential improvements
01 Assumption-driven research
01 Assumption-driven research
01 Assumption-driven research
Leveraging an assumption-driven approach for user research has proven pivotal to my success. This method not only establishes clear research goals but also guides the entire research process in the intended direction.
Leveraging an assumption-driven approach for user research has proven pivotal to my success. This method not only establishes clear research goals but also guides the entire research process in the intended direction.
Leveraging an assumption-driven approach for user research has proven pivotal to my success. This method not only establishes clear research goals but also guides the entire research process in the intended direction.
02 Keep asking questions until reaching the root cause
02 Keep asking questions until reaching the root cause
02 Keep asking questions until reaching the root cause
Clearly, a lack of motivation can result in inefficient teamwork. However, upon closer examination, additional challenges, including more subtle and hidden mental obstacles, come to light. Continually asking questions allows me to design a product that addresses the genuine root causes.
Clearly, a lack of motivation can result in inefficient teamwork. However, upon closer examination, additional challenges, including more subtle and hidden mental obstacles, come to light. Continually asking questions allows me to design a product that addresses the genuine root causes.
Clearly, a lack of motivation can result in inefficient teamwork. However, upon closer examination, additional challenges, including more subtle and hidden mental obstacles, come to light. Continually asking questions allows me to design a product that addresses the genuine root causes.
03 Be specific and deep
03 Be specific and deep
03 Be specific and deep
Initially, I devised a comprehensive set of solutions, each targeting a distinct problem at various stages. Over time, I realized it was impractical to address all of them within the constraints of limited time. Eventually, I opted to concentrate on one specific aspect, prioritizing depth over breadth to achieve optimal results.
Initially, I devised a comprehensive set of solutions, each targeting a distinct problem at various stages. Over time, I realized it was impractical to address all of them within the constraints of limited time. Eventually, I opted to concentrate on one specific aspect, prioritizing depth over breadth to achieve optimal results.
Initially, I devised a comprehensive set of solutions, each targeting a distinct problem at various stages. Over time, I realized it was impractical to address all of them within the constraints of limited time. Eventually, I opted to concentrate on one specific aspect, prioritizing depth over breadth to achieve optimal results.
01 Complete the entire user flow
01 Complete the entire user flow
01 Complete the entire user flow
Both Miracle Plus Venture Capital and I recognize the commercial potential of this project. My immediate priority is to finalize the design for the entire user flow and swiftly build the MVP to test the market.
Both Miracle Plus Venture Capital and I recognize the commercial potential of this project. My immediate priority is to finalize the design for the entire user flow and swiftly build the MVP to test the market.
Both Miracle Plus Venture Capital and I recognize the commercial potential of this project. My immediate priority is to finalize the design for the entire user flow and swiftly build the MVP to test the market.
02 Edge case: emergency-caused low credibility
02 Edge case: emergency-caused low credibility
02 Edge case: emergency-caused low credibility
Due to time constraints, I couldn't consider all edge cases. In the event of task failure due to unforeseen circumstances, there should be a means to communicate the context behind the credibility score.
Due to time constraints, I couldn't consider all edge cases. In the event of task failure due to unforeseen circumstances, there should be a means to communicate the context behind the credibility score.
Due to time constraints, I couldn't consider all edge cases. In the event of task failure due to unforeseen circumstances, there should be a means to communicate the context behind the credibility score.