Daycare Connect BC is a mobile application designed to simplify the process of finding and booking available daycare services for new parents in British Columbia. The app will integrate real-time availability information from licensed daycares, allowing parents to quickly identify and connect with available services in their vicinity, reducing the need to make multiple inquiries.
The current tools available for parents in BC to find licensed daycare services, notably the BC government website, do not offer real-time availability information. As a result, parents have to invest significant time and effort calling individual daycare facilities, only to find that many are fully booked up to two years in advance. This process is time-consuming, frustrating, and inefficient for parents.
In order to design a seamless and intuitive user experience for the Daycare Finder App, I need the user journey map to visualize touchpoints, identify pain points, and optimize interactions, ensuring the app meets the users' needs and expectations efficiently.
In order to understand users better, I decided to use interview and survey as my primary method of research.
After conducting surveys and interviews with 100 BC parents:
During the ideation phase, I employed tools like Sketch to meticulously draft and refine the design elements.
Additionally, I utilized the Crazy Eights technique, which propelled rapid ideation and diverse perspectives.
This process not only bolstered creativity but also enabled me to explore a wide array of design possibilities.
Consequently, I was able to distill these varied ideas into cohesive wireframe options that provide a clear, visual representation of the app's structure and user flow.
After finalizing the wireframes, my grasp of the project deepened considerably, revealing nuances and intricacies I hadn't initially considered. With this enhanced understanding, I transitioned to developing the information architecture (IA). This entailed meticulously structuring and categorizing the app's content to ensure it resonated with user needs and expectations. By weaving the insights from the wireframes into the IA, I was able to create a more cohesive and user-centric blueprint
After sketching the initial wireframes on paper, I transitioned them into a digital format for greater precision and clarity. With the digital wireframes in place, I meticulously designed the user flow, ensuring it was logical and straightforward. This digital representation not only facilitated a clearer visualization of the user's journey but also set the stage for subsequent user testing.
I created 2 prototypes in Figma and I tested with 25 users, which lead to the changes in the revised design.
Utilizing the digital wireframes, I developed a lo-fi prototype that served as the basis for our initial user testing.
This hands-on approach allowed users to interact with the early version of the app, providing invaluable insights and feedback.
The comments and observations gathered during these sessions were instrumental in highlighting areas that needed refinement.
Drawing from this rich pool of user feedback, I iteratively adjusted and improved the design.
These revisions, influenced directly by user experience, ultimately led to the development of a final product that was both user-centric and functionally robust.
I aimed to specifically test users on their experience exploring the "featured daycare" section of the app. This area was highlighted as it provides a curated selection of top-rated daycares, and I wanted to ensure its usability and value were maximized for our users.
Another integral feature of the app is its ability to recommend parenting-related blogs to users. By curating a selection of insightful articles and resources, we aim to provide parents with valuable information and advice on child care. This feature not only complements the primary function of finding daycares but also serves as an educational tool, assisting parents in navigating the complexities of child-rearing.
A core function of the app is its specialized search feature that allows parents to specifically find daycares with available spots. Recognizing the common challenge many parents face in securing a spot amidst fully booked facilities, this feature streamlines the process, filtering out fully occupied daycares. By presenting only those with openings, parents can quickly and efficiently identify potential daycare options, alleviating the stress and time consumption traditionally associated with the search.
Understanding that daycare availability can be dynamic, this functionality empowers parents to either directly reserve an available spot at their preferred daycare or, if it's currently full, join a waitlist. Joining the waitlist ensures that parents are automatically notified once a spot becomes available, removing the need for continuous manual checks. This dual-option approach caters to both immediate needs and future planning, providing parents with flexibility and control over their child's daycare placement.
Enhanced User Experience:
The app's streamlined approach and comprehensive details reduce the time and stress associated with finding a suitable daycare.
Empowered Decision-Making:
Parents can make more informed decisions based on transparent and up-to-date information.
Improved Daycare Operations:
Daycares benefit from accurate listing and can potentially reduce the number of unnecessary calls and inquiries.
Critical Need for Accuracy:
Parents prioritize accurate availability information, as it directly impacts their plans and schedules.
Value of Transparency:
Clear details on amenities, ratings, and fees are essential for building trust and helping parents make decisions.
Comparison is Key:
The ability to juxtapose different daycare options side by side is invaluable in the decision-making process.
Moving forward, my immediate focus will be on refining and enhancing the "Reserve or Join Waitlist" feature through targeted user testing. I'll also prioritize the development of advanced search filters to aid parents in finding daycares tailored to their routines. Partnerships with local parenting groups will be sought to garner insights for app improvements. Simultaneously, I'll explore opportunities for geographical expansion, ensuring the app remains technologically robust and user-centric in its offerings.